For optimum growth, marigolds prefer loamy soil with a neutral pH. Once sown, thin the seedlings to 12in (30cm) apart, protect them from slugs, and water regularly (especially in dry, hot weather).

3. Start Seeds Indoors When you’re ready to plant marigold seeds, fill seed-starting trays or pots with a pre-moistened seed-starting mix and plant about two marigold seeds per seedling cell or pot.

While marigolds make a pretty and colorful addition to any garden, they're also hailed as an effective way to deter pests, but do they actually help?

Why Marigolds Are Essential to Your Garden (And You Only Have to Buy Them Once) first appeared on Parade Home & Garden on Jul 26, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade Home & Garden on Jul ...

An orange marigold won't be pink the next year or a tall variety suddenly dwarf. But chances are the seeds you save in 2005 will produce plants that behave a bit differently in 2006.

There are several combinations of plants which work to control everything from vermin to bugs visiting your crops, and marigolds are just one of the most striking pest remedies to try.

Here are seven flowering plants-lavender, marigold, catmint, alliums, geraniums, sage, and yarrow-that thrive alongside roses, enriching your garden ...

As marigold flowers start to wilt, the plant's energies shift towards seed production. This is a natural progression for many flowering plants, including marigolds, whose primary aim is to ...