Today is May 1st…traditionally known as May Day.
That means spring is officially here and summer is just out there on the horizon. (Apologies to those of you in the USA who are currently still getting snow showers!) When the calendar flips to May, to me that means it is really time to start digging in the garden. Sure, I’ve been working out there for weeks getting things ready, starting seeds, clearing out beds, and so on. But on May 1, it means it’s time for some serious gardening to begin.
One of my favorite May gardening chores is to plant some lovely flowers and annuals in my garden. No yard would be complete without a few lovely flowers to admire as you work in the vegetable patch or mow the lawn.
Marigolds are a tried-and-true flower in the garden. No annual is easier to grow than marigolds. They are healthy, sturdy and attractive flowers. They grow easily, even in unpleasant conditions or surroundings. Marigolds are not demanding flowers, in fact they require very little aside from sun and water. They can even tolerate fair to poor soil quite well.
Marigolds offer gorgeous “pops” of color in the garden – hues of gold, red, orange, and even brass make them rather majestic to the landscape. Best of all, they bloom brightly all summer long and will keep blooming until the first fall frost with adequate care.
Marigolds have typically have daisy or carnation-shaped flowers. Some grow in single bunches and others grow in clusters. It really depends on the variety and growing conditions. Some marigolds are tall and others are small. There are even dainty varieties that are edible.
All marigolds do well in containers – and are a favorite with patio gardeners.
Marigolds have been given a somewhat bad reputation for their smell. Some people find it pungent but I find it to be a fantastic aroma. It is said that the natural scent of a marigold will keep pests like deer and rabbits eating out of your garden. Some gardeners have found this to be true, while others say it doesn’t work. Your mileage may vary.
Marigolds are great for natural pest control. They will deter beetles, aphids, squash bugs, tomato hornworms and several other pests in the vegetable garden. They are also known to repel nematodes (microscopic worms in the soil). The root of the marigold produces a chemical that will actually kill the nematodes. Farmers and gardeners love to plant them near their veggies and edible plants for this very purpose.
Giving your marigolds a single feeding of natural fertilizer like ProtoGrow will keep them happy and healthy all spring and summer long. You may want to repeat ProtoGrow feedings every 6 weeks depending on heat, draught, and soil conditions in your area for a mid-season “grow like crazy” boost.
