Marigolds are an essential flower to add to your garden. Whether you have a flower garden or a vegetable garden, marigolds can have a big impact on the health of your other plants. Plus, they are so vibrant that they add a pop of gorgeous color as well. Marigolds come in a variety of colors, types and sizes so you have many options to choose from. Here are some of the benefits of planting marigolds in your garden.
ONE. Attract Bees: I purposely chose this reason as the first because I think that it is the most important. Marigolds attract bees! We have changed the “Save the Whales” campaign with “Save the Bees” and everything that we can do to contribute to this cause is very important. According to Imperfectly Happy Blog, bees like the single bloom variety of marigolds. This helps the bees but also attracts them to your other plants.
TWO. Edible Flowers: If you want to dress up summer salads then you need to plant the “Lemon Gem” and “Orange Gem” varieties of marigolds. Not only do you get a vibrant taste but the color added to lettuce is gorgeous. And let’s face it, edible flowers in your salads is just plain cool! And, you can use them to decorate cakes and more.
THREE. Natural Insect Control: There are some contradicting theories about this but traditionally Marigolds planted anywhere can be a deterrent of bugs, specifically Mexican bean beetles, tomato hornworms, squash bugs and whiteflies, blackflies and other types of flies. If you are familiar with Marigolds then you are aware of the strong scent that they emit. This repels bugs. Mosquitoes are said to avoid the area where marigold are blooming. (I have marigolds in pots on my front porch where I hope the mosquitoes will be deterred.) Root-knot nematodes are microscopic worms that live in soil and ruin the roots of plants. Vegetables that are most often affected are tomatoes, potatoes and strawberries. Marigold roots produce a chemical that not only repels but also kills root-knot worms. Tilling the flowers into the soil is the best way to use marigold effectively to repel the worms.
From promoting bees to deterring unwanted pests, marigolds are a must-have addition to your flower or vegetable garden. A bonus to planting marigolds is that they are edible and a brightly colored addition to summer salads and desserts. Keep these tips in mind when you are planning and planting your gardens.
Look at how beautiful these strawberry blonde marigolds are!
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