Planting and caring for wonderful marigolds in open ground is within the power of everyone.

The official name of marigolds is Tagetes, and they belong to the Astrov family. In fact, this plant is a perennial, but in Russian latitudes it is grown as an annual. Flowers do not overwinter in open ground, but feel great in pots or flower beds.

Many gardeners love to grow marigolds, as this plant is unpretentious and blooms for a long time - from May to October. In addition to aesthetic pleasure, tagetes bring real benefits to your summer cottage. The specific smell of flowers repels various pests, and their roots suppress the development of fungi in the ground.

From the article you will learn how to grow these bright flowers in your garden and which varieties to choose. And also, when is the best time to plant marigold seedlings in 2021 according to the Lunar calendar and in the regions.

We determine the timing of planting marigold seedlings in the regions

Weather conditions in Russia differ depending on the climate zone. So in the southern regions, marigold seedlings can be transplanted to a permanent place already in April, and in the northern regions - no earlier than mid-June.

From the moment of sowing until the marigolds are transplanted into open flower beds, an average of 35-45 days pass. Seeds must be sown in such a way that the finished seedlings end up in the flowerbed under favorable conditions, avoiding return frosts.

The optimal time for sowing marigold seedlings is March and April.

• In the Moscow region, marigold seeds are sown at the end of March and in the first ten days of April. They are transplanted into the ground at the end of May or in the first ten days of June.
• In the Leningrad region, sowing is best done in the third ten days of April.
• In the south , sowing begins in early March.
• In the Urals and Siberia, marigolds are sown for seedlings in the second half of April.

Selection and preparation of a site

The culture is unpretentious to the type of soil. But, given the special planting conditions, preference should be given to elevated sites. In lowlands, during a thaw, the groundwater level rises, which can cause seed rotting. Clay soil is lightened with peat and sand.

Advice! When choosing a place for marigolds, there is no need to focus on the level of illumination. Flowers develop well in sunny areas and in the shade.

The soil is prepared in September. To do this, all plant debris is removed from the garden bed. The soil is well moistened and rotted manure or compost is added to increase fertility. After 1-2 weeks, deep grooves are made. During planting, they will be filled with soil stored in a warm room.

Semyan

When planting plants in the spring, gardeners prepare seeds in advance. To do this, they are germinated in a damp cloth, which speeds up the germination process. When sowing marigold seeds in the fall, this procedure is not required.

Early sprouting will kill the shoots at the first frost. It is enough to sort through the planting material, sorting out damaged and wet specimens. You also need to pay attention to how long ago the seeds were collected. If they were harvested more than 3 years ago, the germination percentage will be low. Material that is no more than 2 years old has a greater chance of germination.

Reference! Marigold seeds do not need stratification. When planting in autumn, they undergo an identical procedure while in the ground.

When to plant marigold seedlings in 2021 according to the Lunar calendar

Orientation to the phases of the Moon in agricultural technology is based on thousands of years of practice, so the recommendations of astrologers should be trusted.
The landing calendar provides information about the position of the night star on each day of the year. Here, first of all, the phases of the moon are taken into account. For annual flowers, favorable days include the period from new moon to full moon. Moreover, if you choose the first week for sowing, the marigold inflorescences will turn out more lush.

To decide on specific dates, you should take into account what sign the Moon will be in on a given day. Suitable signs for sowing annual flowers are Pisces, Taurus, Cancer, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio.

Favorable numbers:

• in March : 3, 4, from 16 to 18, 22, 23, 26, 30, 31;
• in April: from 7 to 9, 18, 19, from 23 to 26, 28;

When to plant marigold seedlings to bloom in May 2021?

If flower growers want to get flowering marigolds already in May, then the seeds should be sown in February. But in this case, additional lighting with a phyto-lamp will definitely be required.

In February, sowing marigolds according to the Lunar calendar in 2021 can be done on the following favorable days:

• in February : from 1 to 7, 13, 14, from 22 to 25, 28;

Marigolds sown in the last winter month bloom for a shorter period of time compared to those planted as seedlings from March to April. Therefore, in order to enjoy the flowering of Tagetes until the end of autumn, you should plant the second seedlings in April or May.

When transplanting marigolds into open ground in May, you should take into account the weather conditions in the region, since cold weather is possible at this time. Therefore, the gardener should provide the flowers with additional shelter.

On a note! People call marigolds lights, marigolds. In Ukraine, the Tagetes are called Chernobrivtsy. In England - “Mary's gold”, in Germany - “student flower”.

Collection and storage of marigold seeds

Chernobrivtsi are annual plants, but their existence can be easily extended if you collect them, save the seeds, and then sow them again. Inflorescences in plants are female and bisexual. The latter do not require additional pollination and produce the most seeds. At the same time, the qualities of velvety and terry petals are obtained from “female” seeds. The choice of source for obtaining plant seed depends on this.

The average ripening time for marigold seeds is 40 days or more. As soon as the inflorescences begin to turn yellow and the stems of the plant turn brown, the “harvest” can be harvested. To do this, cut the marigold flowers, being careful not to damage them, then pour the seeds into a bag or envelope. Collection is carried out in dry, windless weather. Storage is carried out in a warm place with normal humidity to avoid rotting of marigold seeds. They are stored for several years, fully retaining their properties.

Growing marigolds from seeds at home

Growing good marigold seedlings is not difficult. Before you start sowing seeds, you need to perform standard steps: prepare the soil mixture, containers for seedlings and seeds.

Preparing soil and seeds

Marigolds are considered undemanding plants, but the choice of soil is of great importance for the good development of seedlings.

• To ensure that the soil is nutritious and loose in structure, the composition includes peat, turf soil, and compost.
• Everything is taken in equal parts and mixed with a small amount of sand. You can also purchase a ready-made substrate with a neutral reaction in the store.
• Before use, the soil is steamed or treated with a fungicide. This will help to avoid the development of “black leg” in the future.

Those who have been growing tagetes for a long time always have seeds on hand. Newcomers borrow from friends or buy from resellers. It should be borne in mind that only achenes no older than 2 years of age are suitable for planting.

For better germination, it is recommended to pre-germinate marigolds. This is done in this way:

• wet cloth is placed on a saucer;
• seeds are poured on top in one layer;
• The container is placed in a bag and tied.

The seeds are kept for 3 days in a warm place without light. Then they are removed from the bag, the bad ones are discarded, and the rest are safely sown.

Methods for sowing marigolds for seedlings

Each summer resident has his own favorite methods of growing marigold seedlings. Here we propose to consider the most popular of them.

Table 4: Methods for sowing marigolds

Any of the described methods gives good results. Therefore, each summer resident will choose the most convenient method for growing seedlings.

We sow marigolds in a “snail” simply and effectively - video

Is it possible to plant marigolds with seeds before winter?

Marigolds (Tagetes) are a genus of heat-loving plants belonging to the Asteraceae family. Today the culture has about 50 species and is cultivated all over the world.

These sunny flowers captivate with their variety of shades, long-lasting flowering, unpretentiousness, and the ability to grow in several ways (seedlings, sowing seeds in open ground in the spring, sowing seeds in the fall).

While the first two methods are often used, few people know when to plant marigolds before winter and how.

Is it possible to plant marigolds before winter?

Perennial marigolds are very bright and beautiful flowers that are grown both in summer cottages and in city alleys. They are distinguished by their ease of care and planting and their ability to survive in almost any climate.

Can it be grown outdoors from seeds?

Perennial marigolds tolerate the climatic conditions of central Russia well , so they overwinter well directly in the ground, the main thing is not to forget about the use of covering material, which will provide additional protection for the plants.

You can plant marigolds either through pre-grown seedlings or by sowing seeds in the ground.

Experienced gardeners recommend starting to grow seedlings in late March - early April , because marigolds develop quite quickly and break through from the seed.

Transplantation of seedlings into open ground is carried out at the end of May, when the threat of return frosts has passed and the soil has warmed up sufficiently, the same applies to sowing seeds.

Although marigolds have good frost resistance, newly planted seedlings are unlikely to survive the winter in open ground.

Perennial marigold seedlings

On average, the lifespan of perennial marigolds is 3-4 years, during which time the formed planting can grow significantly.

This is due to the fact that flowers actively reproduce by self-sowing.

Selecting seeds and preparing seedlings

Regardless of whether marigold seeds are used for growing seedlings or are immediately sown in open ground, they must go through several stages of preparation:

• To begin with, the planting material needs to be disinfected , such actions will help avoid the occurrence of unforeseen situations and diseases;
• Then the seeds are germinated . To do this, they are laid out on a damp cloth and covered with film, while it is very important to create comfortable conditions and warmth. If the outcome is favorable, root embryos will appear on the seeds in 3-4 days.

In order to grow good marigold seedlings, you need to prepare the correct substrate with the following composition:

• 1 part peat;
• 1 part humus;
• 1 part of turf land;
• 3 parts sand.

Sowing marigold seeds Sprouted marigold seeds

There must be small holes in the growing container.

It is also welcome to have a 2-3 centimeter layer of drainage, which can be made from crushed stone, expanded clay, broken brick or pebbles.

The process of growing seedlings is as follows:

1. The soil, as well as the seeds, must be disinfected in advance ; for this, it is spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting;
2. Then the earth is compacted and seeds are laid on its surface. It is worth noting that marigolds sprout better when planted densely, so the seedlings will have to be thinned out;
3. The seeds are covered with a thin layer of soil ;
4. Seedlings germinate best at a temperature of 22-24 degrees . Since marigolds reproduce by self-sowing, the creation of special conditions such as a special greenhouse is not required;
5. Water the soil as it dries; it is very important to prevent the soil from drying out or becoming waterlogged.

Source: https://agromarket-2015.ru/mozhno-li-barhotki-sazhat-pod-zimu-semenami/

Features of caring for marigold seedlings

Tagetes, like other plants, prefers that the conditions of agricultural technology be observed. But at the same time, culture does not make any special demands.

Basic care comes down to the following points:

• Watering is carried out when the soil has had time to dry slightly;
• it is important that there is no stagnation of water in the pan;
• for better development of seedlings, it will need additional nutrition, which is carried out every 2 weeks, using a universal complex for flowers;
• Fertilizers are not applied immediately, but 10-15 days after sowing and picking, and then according to the scheme;
• if the seeds are not planted densely, the marigolds do not need to be picked; otherwise, the procedure is carried out when 3 carved leaves are formed on the seedling.

When transplanting, the sprouts are buried in the soil so that the cotyledons do not touch the soil. Then the seedlings will not get sick, and a strong root system will develop on it.

Benefits of autumn planting

When deciding when to plant seeds, which planting is preferable - autumn or spring, many, without hesitation, will choose the latter. And they will present weighty, ironclad arguments in defense of their position. It seems like everything is so, but not quite.

Autumn planting has the following advantages:

• during hibernation, plants gain strength and get used to life in the open outside world;
• the formation of the root system of marigolds occurs faster due to early planting;
• there is no need to select the “correct” planting date; by the warm season, the flowers develop independently, growing from a seed to a seedling.

A serious disadvantage of cold planting is the increased use of seed reserves. You need to be prepared for this so as not to get into trouble.

When to transplant seedlings into open ground

Marigold seedlings are ready for transplanting into flower beds when they reach the age of 35-45 days.
But here, again, it is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the region. After waiting until the air temperature stabilizes and does not fall below zero, they begin to harden the sprouts.

For the first days they are kept with the window open, then they begin to be taken out into the fresh air. After 2 weeks you can plant it in a flowerbed, choosing a sunny area for the flower garden.

Transplanting

Planting seedlings in open ground

Marigolds do not tolerate the slightest frost, so they begin planting seedlings only after they are completely convinced that the threat of a sharp cold snap has passed. If the seedlings are planted, but frosts are expected, you can resort to covering the plants with light agrofibre or other materials.

Seedlings of erect, tall marigolds are planted with distances of 40–50 cm between plants. Some varieties look great in solitary plantings, and to increase the decorative effect they are planted in groups of three, placed in the corners of a triangle with sides of 40–45 cm.

Seedlings of medium-sized marigolds are placed at distances of 30–35 cm, and dwarf varieties are planted more densely – at intervals of 20–25 cm, resulting in smooth, continuous flowering borders.

Caring for marigolds in summer

The crop does not require special care, but, observing the minimum rules of agricultural technology, the phase of plant development is taken into account:

• despite the drought resistance of marigolds, in the first half of summer they need abundant watering (but do not tolerate waterlogging); then irrigation is reduced to a minimum;
• fertilizing at the beginning of the season should be comprehensive and as complete as possible; from the second half of summer, nitrogen-containing components are excluded.

All other activities (loosening the soil, weeding) are carried out as necessary. There is no need to worry about pests - the smell of marigolds repels them.

Of the diseases, the most dangerous is “black leg”, which affects the roots. But it can only develop against the backdrop of a wetland.

How to feed marigolds for abundant flowering

The first application of fertilizers for marigolds in an open flowerbed is made 2 weeks after planting the sprouts. At this stage, summer residents use a urea solution (1 tablespoon per 2.5 liters of water).

At the time the first buds appear, a solution of potassium sulfate and superphosphate is used. During flowering, nitrophoska is diluted (30 g per 10 liters of water).

Lush flowering of marigolds can be achieved not only with preparations such as “Agricola”, but also with folk remedies, feeding marigolds with the following compositions:

• crushed nettle is poured with water and left in the sun for 2 days;
• You can sprinkle a little wood ash under each bush.

These 2 remedies are sometimes combined with each other. After adding 0.5 cups of ash to each plant, the marigolds are watered with herbal infusion (0.5 l). But initially, the nettle solution must be diluted with additional water in a ratio of 1:5.

Further care

Regardless of the planting method, subsequent care consists of periodic weeding and loosening the soil around the plants to increase water and air permeability. In summer, overgrown bushes are pruned to give them beautiful shapes, and faded flowers are removed. Plants bloom more abundantly after pruning.

Watering

During the active growth of seedlings, watering should be intense, but as soon as inflorescences appear, watering is reduced. If there is excess moisture, the plants rot and flowering stops. A sign of a lack of moisture is the lower leaves turning yellow and drying out.

Top dressing

photo: © efoodsdirect.com

Plants need fertilizing with complex fertilizers at certain periods of development: when the seedlings reach a height of 10 cm; further - when the first buds set; further - when flowering occurs.

Preparing for winter

After the marigolds have bloomed and winter is just around the corner, the question arises of what to do with the marigolds in the fall. Decorative varieties of Tagetes are most often annual plants, so in the fall the bushes are removed from the beds. Before this, the seeds are collected, the ripening of which occurs approximately 40 days from the beginning of flowering. Despite the fact that the seeds of hybrids do not retain their parental characteristics, the marigolds from them grow beautiful.

How and when to collect your seeds

In order for the flowerbed to be no less lush next year, you need to take seed material from marigolds from the largest and healthiest bushes. It is advisable not to miss the moment of their flowering - the further countdown will begin from it.

The achenes ripen 40 days after the first inflorescences appear. But they need to be collected when the basket withers and becomes dry, and the stems acquire a brown tint.

The seed pods are carefully cut off and laid out under a canopy for drying. Then the seeds are poured into cardboard boxes and paper bags, on which the date of collection must be indicated.

All work is carried out in warm, non-humid weather. Otherwise, the seeds will not be stored for a long time.

Preparing for landing

It starts with choosing a place. Here it is important to take into account 2 points: the absence of stagnation of liquid and the planned slope on the site. Additional nuances concern the soil. It should be loose and permeable rather than dense. The latter circumstance automatically solves the problem of waterlogging.

Therefore, preparations for planting begin by bringing the soil to the required consistency. To do this, soil, peat, river sand and humus (compost) are mixed. The next subtlety is to plant in frozen soil, not cold soil. Preparation of the landing site (digging of grooves and holes, mixing) is carried out in September, and with the onset of cold weather the seeds will fall into them.

See also

Descriptions and characteristics of varieties of gladioli, names of the best varietiesRead

Seed selection

The seed fund of plants is selected based on the color scheme and variety (if purchased). Or they use seeds collected in the fall from their plantings, selecting large and healthy ones. The ability to germinate remains up to 3 years. Treatment with a stimulant (soaking in water) increases the chances of pipping, at the same time reducing the time for the appearance of the first shoots by 5-7 days.

The varieties most often chosen are Lulu, Golden Gem, Gnome, Bonanza Orange, Flame, Carmen, Antigua or Kilimanjaro.

Selecting a location

It depends on the location whether the seeds will sprout, develop into full-fledged plants, or die. It is advisable that this be a site with a slight slope, not too saturated with moisture. The soil will most likely have to be replaced with a complex composition. This will increase the permeability of the mixture and allow you to get rid of excess water (melt or during irrigation).

If you didn’t manage to plant it right away in a sunny, open place – no problem. Marigolds can be replanted after they have taken root, put out leaves and strengthened the root system.

How to grow marigolds from seeds in open ground

There are gardeners who prefer sowing marigolds directly into open ground. There are 3 options, separated by time, which makes it possible to admire beautiful flowers all season long.

Sowing seeds before winter

Although marigolds do not like frost, they are still perennial plants. Therefore, in the regions of the Middle Zone and to the south, you can sow them before winter to get early flower beds. But in this case, it is recommended to take a larger number of seeds (based on natural selection).

The process includes a number of features:

• from the second half of September - early October, the site is prepared by cutting shallow grooves;
• After waiting until the soil freezes well, the seeds are placed in the grooves;
• The grooves are filled with preheated and dried soil.

The top of the flower bed is covered with a ten-centimeter layer of wood chips or leaves. To prevent the material from being scattered by the wind, it is fixed with a special covering mesh.

Winter sowing of marigolds - video

Spring sowing in greenhouses

Flower greenhouses can be installed directly in the flowerbed by constructing a shelter from film stretched over boards. Or set aside a corner to the side for this structure, and then plant the stronger shoots as seedlings into ridges.

In this case, you can sow marigolds closer to the end of April (and in some regions at the beginning of May). Then it is better to choose rejected tagetes - these are varieties that are more resistant to spring frosts. Plants harvested from a greenhouse bloom earlier than those grown by seedlings.

Sowing in open ground in spring

It is not possible to sow marigolds directly into a flowerbed in all regions, and it is better to do this in the second half of May - early June. Good germination and rapid flowering can be achieved with low-growing varieties (“Dainty Marietta”, “Disco Orange”, “Spray Petit”, etc.).

In the flower garden, wide holes 5 cm deep are formed, into which one germinated seed is dropped. The distance between the holes is maintained at 20-25 cm. If tall varieties are taken (such as “Hawaii”, “Silver Light”), then the gap is maintained at 30-40 cm.

Before sending the achenes into the holes, the soil is well moistened. A small layer of earth (1-1.5 cm) is poured over the seeds. In a week you can already expect the first shoots to appear.

A guide to the correct sowing of marigolds before winter for beginning gardeners

Marigolds have 50 varieties, differing in size and shade of inflorescences. This is a heat-loving crop. Thanks to its unique combination of aesthetic qualities and unpretentiousness, the plant can be found in almost every homestead. However, not everyone knows that you can sow seeds in open ground in the fall. We will talk further about the rules for sowing marigolds before winter.

Is it possible to sow marigolds before winter?

Gardeners grow marigolds mainly by planting seedlings or sowing seeds in open ground in the spring. At the same time, residents of regions with warm climates have the opportunity to carry out planting work in the fall. At slightly sub-zero temperatures, the seeds overwinter well. As soon as the earth warms up after the cold, friendly shoots appear in the flower beds.

Despite the low frost resistance of the plant, gardeners living in regions with cool climates are also experimenting with autumn sowing of marigolds. Some of them achieve excellent results, which is due to the arrangement of the covering layer and thick snow cover.

Advantages and disadvantages of sowing before winter

Sowing marigold seeds before winter is characterized not only by convenience, but also by practical benefits. Key benefits include:

• the sprouts are hardened and resistant to adverse weather conditions, which means that the plants will suffer less;
• when spring comes, there is no need to follow the sowing schedule or choose suitable days; seedlings appear on their own, dictated by nature itself;
• young shoots develop intensively, forming a strong root system, resulting in healthy bushes;
• reduction of labor costs for growing seedlings at home, no need to open windows or organize additional lighting;
• Autumn sowing produces hardy plants that can thrive in drought and cool weather.

One of the significant shortcomings is the excessive consumption of planting material. A spacious place is allocated for sowing marigolds, so that there is enough for all the seeds. Some of them will not survive the frost. Consumption is not a problem for those gardeners who collect rosettes of dried inflorescences from their flower beds.

Landing dates

If planting marigold seeds is planned for the fall, it is important to calculate the timing correctly. Seed material is introduced into the ground after the initial stage of freezing. At the same time, the risk of heat return should be unlikely. If a thaw unexpectedly occurs, the seeds will rot and die under the influence of moisture and heat.

Favorable days according to the lunar calendar

Experienced gardeners, when determining the date of planting seeds, rely on the lunar calendar. When reviewing it, you need to avoid days that fall on the full moon or new moon. The intermediate period between them is considered favorable. Recommended days for sowing marigolds in autumn 2021:

• October – 7-10; 21-24;
• November – 6-9; 19-22;
• December (for southern regions) – 16; 20; 21; 25; 26.

Selection and preparation of a site

The culture is unpretentious to the type of soil. But, given the special planting conditions, preference should be given to elevated sites. In lowlands, during a thaw, the groundwater level rises, which can cause seed rotting. Clay soil is lightened with peat and sand.

Advice! When choosing a place for marigolds, there is no need to focus on the level of illumination. Flowers develop well in sunny areas and in the shade.

The soil is prepared in September. To do this, all plant debris is removed from the garden bed. The soil is well moistened and rotted manure or compost is added to increase fertility. After 1-2 weeks, deep grooves are made. During planting, they will be filled with soil stored in a warm room.

Semyan

When planting plants in the spring, gardeners prepare seeds in advance. To do this, they are germinated in a damp cloth, which speeds up the germination process. When sowing marigold seeds in the fall, this procedure is not required.

Early sprouting will kill the shoots at the first frost. It is enough to sort through the planting material, sorting out damaged and wet specimens. You also need to pay attention to how long ago the seeds were collected. If they were harvested more than 3 years ago, the germination percentage will be low. Material that is no more than 2 years old has a greater chance of germination.

Reference! Marigold seeds do not need stratification. When planting in autumn, they undergo an identical procedure while in the ground.

How to plant marigolds before winter

Planting work should begin after frosty days set in or snow falls. The prepared grooves are cleared of debris and snow carpet, if any.

What you will need

To work you will need soil. It is better to take a lightweight substrate fertilized with organic matter. You will also need:

• a mixture of peat and sand or humus and sand;
• scoop;
• dry leaves;
• covering material (agrofibre).

You can do without insulation material if planting is done in regions with a warm climate.

Step-by-step instructions for sowing

1. A loose substrate, which was stored in a warm room, is introduced into the grooves. Layer thickness – 1-2 cm.
2. The planting scheme is selected depending on the variety of marigolds, or more precisely on their size. But taking into account natural losses from frost, the seeding rate is doubled.
3. The seeds are laid out on the bedding.
4. A small layer of a mixture of peat and sand (humus and sand) is poured on top of the planting material. The thickness of the substrate should not exceed 3-4 cm. There is no need to compact the soil, otherwise it will be difficult for the sprouts to break through.
5. The sowing area is covered with mulch. Dry leaves, peat or sawdust are used as mulch.
6. When growing marigolds in regions with harsh climates, agrofibre is laid on top of the mulch. Along the edges, the material is compacted with bricks or boards so that the wind does not blow away the shelter.

With the arrival of spring, the insulation material is removed and the soil is cleared of mulch.

This prevents the seeds from heating up and facilitates the germination process.

Care after landing

Immediately after autumn sowing there is no need to moisten the soil, loosen the soil or apply fertilizers. Seeds in the natural environment undergo a slow process of stratification. In the spring, when the first shoots appear, the usual activities for caring for young shoots are resumed.

• If the winter had little snow, and in the spring the rains do not sufficiently moisten the soil, the need for irrigation arises. For irrigation, use settled water. The temperature of the liquid should be within 20 degrees. Cold showers inhibit plant development.
• As the flower bed becomes contaminated with weeds, weeding is carried out. At first, this should be done with your hands so as not to damage the developing marigolds with the tool.
• Fertilizers should be applied to a bed planted with marigolds three times per season. Complex formulations enriched with potassium, phosphorus, nitrogen and other useful minerals are suitable for these purposes. The first fertilizing is done when the shoots reach a height of 10 cm. The second time the planting is fertilized during the formation of buds. There is an urgent need for a nutrient mixture even during the flowering period. This care guarantees lush flowering throughout the warm season. Agricola-7 is used as a fertilizer for sunny flowers. To prepare a nutrient solution, a tablespoon of the composition is mixed with water (10 l).
• Marigolds are used as pest repellent plants that attack garden crops. The flowers themselves can attract spider mites if there is insufficient air humidity. Timely prevention will help prevent the invasion of parasites. To do this, the bushes are sprayed with an infusion of garlic, red pepper, onion peel or wormwood. If it is not possible to avoid the appearance of insects, insecticides are used.
• Of the diseases, gray mold poses the greatest threat. It affects plants during prolonged rains. Proper planting will help reduce the risk of marigolds becoming infected with a fungus, preventing thickening of the flower bed.
• As new inflorescences form, old ones that have completed flowering must be removed from the bushes. A similar cleaning of marigolds is carried out when the foliage from the lower tiers turns yellow or is infected with a fungus.

Reference! Marigolds planted before winter bloom 1-3 weeks earlier than seeds sown in spring. When installing a greenhouse above the seedlings, you will be able to enjoy the first inflorescences in late May - early June.

Advice from experienced gardeners

Advice from experienced gardeners will help you avoid mistakes when planting marigolds before winter.

1. You should not save planting material when sowing marigolds before winter. It is better to transplant the seedlings to other flower beds in the spring. It is impossible to predict how cold it will be in winter. At low temperatures, weak seeds die.
2. To propagate marigolds, it is recommended to use seeds no older than two years. They make friendly shoots.
3. If you want to get the earliest possible flowering, after the arrival of spring, a film greenhouse is installed in the planting area. Marigolds develop faster in such conditions.
4. The following types of marigolds are most suitable for planting before winter: thin-leaved, erect, deflected.
5. In the summer, when the bush is actively growing, you can prune it to give the flower an interesting shape. After this procedure, the plant develops even more intensively.
6. When choosing a place for marigolds, areas with low groundwater levels are well suited. It is also worth considering the option of a platform that has a slight slope.

Planting marigold seeds before winter is an exciting activity that does not require much labor or investment. The abundance of new methods allows gardeners who want to grow a beautiful flower in regions with an unfavorable climate to experiment. Lush, bright flowering will not only decorate the yard, but also a reward for your efforts.

on this topic:

Source: https://MegaOgorod.com/atricle/3217-rukovodstvo-po-pravilnomu-posevu-barhatcev-pod-zimu-dlya-nachinayushchih-cvetovodov

The benefits of marigolds for the garden

Marigolds have such a specific aroma that the plants are planted in vegetable beds to repel pests. In those areas where marigolds grow, the crops are not affected by fungal diseases.

• Infusions are prepared from flowering baskets, which are then sprayed on diseased plants. The healing composition helps to cope with colonies of aphids that have attacked the garden.
• Tagetes is also effective in controlling weeds such as creeping leek.
• Experienced summer residents disinfect seeds of other flowers and vegetable crops in marigold infusion, protecting them from diseases. This is especially important for root crops, since the persistent smell will repel wireworms and mole crickets.
• You should not throw away dried bushes collected from a flowerbed - they can be added to compost, preventing the development of pathogenic microflora there. It is recommended to sow the plots of the future garden with marigolds, and in the fall let them be dug up. Such green manures perfectly fertilize and disinfect the soil.

Prevention of marigold diseases and pest control

During flowering, marigolds emit a rather rich and specific aroma that repels pests. However, during prolonged rains, snails and slugs may appear on the bushes. To prevent their occurrence, it is recommended to place a container filled with bleach around the area of ​​the flower bed.

Marigolds affected by snails

During periods of sustained drought, the plant is more susceptible to attacks by spider mites. To prevent its occurrence, it is necessary to water the flower beds regularly and moderately. If the pest does infect the bushes, then it should be irrigated with infusions of yarrow or hot pepper.

Marigolds are unpretentious and easy-to-care plants that, thanks to their bright colors and lush flowering, can transform any garden plot.

Types and popular varieties

There are more than 30 plant species in the marigold genus. They are similar to each other in appearance, with a specific persistent aroma and characteristics. In Russia, mainly 3 types of tagetes are cultivated, which can be seen in group plantings in flower beds, in the borders of paths, and in small islands on alpine hills. Flowers also coexist with garden crops.

Table 1: Marigold species - rejected

"Naughty Marietta"

"Orange Flame"
Table 2: Types of marigolds - erect

"Albatross"

"Smile"

"Antigua"
Table 3: Types of marigolds - fine-leaved

"Paprika"

"Ursula"
All types of herbaceous plants are characterized by ribbed stems and pinnately dissected leaves with serrated edges. The inflorescences are represented by a loose basket (simple, double and semi-double), producing a fruit - an achene.

Marigolds in garden landscape design: photo

Marigolds in bouquets and flower arrangements - ideas with photos

Large varieties of marigolds, as well as small thin-leaved tagetes in combination with other flowers, look very original in bouquets.

How to plant marigolds before winter

Planting work should begin after frosty days set in or snow falls. The prepared grooves are cleared of debris and snow carpet, if any.

What you will need

To work you will need soil. It is better to take a lightweight substrate fertilized with organic matter. You will also need:

• a mixture of peat and sand or humus and sand;
• scoop;
• dry leaves;
• covering material (agrofibre).

You can do without insulation material if planting is done in regions with a warm climate.

Step-by-step instructions for sowing

1. A loose substrate, which was stored in a warm room, is introduced into the grooves. Layer thickness – 1-2 cm.
2. The planting scheme is selected depending on the variety of marigolds, or more precisely on their size. But taking into account natural losses from frost, the seeding rate is doubled.
3. The seeds are laid out on the bedding.
4. A small layer of a mixture of peat and sand (humus and sand) is poured on top of the planting material. The thickness of the substrate should not exceed 3-4 cm. There is no need to compact the soil, otherwise it will be difficult for the sprouts to break through.
5. The sowing area is covered with mulch. Dry leaves, peat or sawdust are used as mulch.
6. When growing marigolds in regions with harsh climates, agrofibre is laid on top of the mulch. Along the edges, the material is compacted with bricks or boards so that the wind does not blow away the shelter.

With the arrival of spring, the insulation material is removed and the soil is cleared of mulch. This prevents the seeds from heating up and facilitates the germination process.