Marigolds are everywhere and are among the most recognizable flowers in the garden. These aromatic and so useful plants are one of the most rewarding annuals you can grow. To get a jump on the season, I recommend starting your marigold seeds indoors. They are low maintenance, fast-growing, repel pests, and they will provide you with bright, continuous color until the fall frost.
In order for your marigolds to be ready for planting outdoors in the spring, start them indoors about fifty days before the last frost date. They are also easily grown from seed.
Congratulations! You've successfully nurtured marigold seedlings from tiny seeds to robust plants. Once, the frosts have passed, plant them in your garden beds or containers into a sunny position in a well drained soil, and soon you'll be rewarded with the vibrant hues and delightful fragrance of marigold blossoms. Happy organic gardening! 🌼🌿
Always use good seeds. You can purchase seeds from your garden supply centers, or online.
- Fill a plastic pot with moist seed starter.
- Plant marigold seeds to a depth of ¼ inch and cover them with a thin layer of potting mix.
- Water them well to moisten the seeds.
- Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap and place it in a warm location to germinate the seeds.
- Keep the soil moist, but avoid soggy soil. If the soil becomes soaked, or shows signs of mold, partially open the plastic to allow moisture to escape and air to circulate.
- Marigold seeds do not need sunlight to germinate
- If you have leftover seeds, you can save them for the next growing season.
- Seal them in an airtight container such as a mason jar in a cool, dry place.
- Marigold seeds stay viable for at least a year, and most will be viable for two years.
- The seedlings should germinate about 7 days, but may take a few days longer if the location is cooler.
- Remove the plastic once seedlings emerge and move them to an area with bright, indirect light.
- The seedlings have to receive about six hours of light a day.
- Keep an eye on them and thin the seedlings once they start producing a second set of leaves.
- Transplant each seedling into its own pot and keep them safe indoors until the last frost date.
- Marigolds germinate quickly, grow rapidly, and blooms should appear within a few weeks of sowing.
- Harden off marigolds seedlings before transplanting outdoors. About 7 days before planting your plants outdoors, help acclimate them to temperatures, sunlight, and wind. This is the process of hardening off, or gradually acclimating your new plants to outdoor conditions. These plants have spent their short lives in a warm, sunny, protected place and won't fare well if you don't expose them slowly to the elements.
I recommend starting your marigold seeds indoors to get a jump on the season. It's so easy!
Watch How to Start Marigolds Indoors Video
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