How to Grow Marigold | American Meadows (2024)

FAQs

How to Grow Marigold | American Meadows? ›

We don't recommend just throwing the seed out in the field or into the grass; anyone who's tried scattering seed without removing other plants has been sorely disappointed when their wildflowers don't come up. Why is soil preparation important?

We don't recommend just throwing the seed out in the field or into the grass; anyone who's tried scattering seed without removing other plants has been sorely disappointed when their wildflowers don't come up. Why is soil preparation important?

When's the Best Time to Plant Wildflower Seeds? The best time of year to plant wildflower seeds is in the spring, ideally March/April time. If you miss the window of opportunity in the spring, the second-best time is the autumn, around September/October.

Weeds and Competing Species:

Weeds can infiltrate the meadow and compete with wildflowers for resources. Regular maintenance, including weed removal and occasional mowing, is necessary to manage unwanted plant species.

Where to grow marigolds. Marigolds need full sun and a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil. Smaller marigolds make good edging plants for borders and do well in pots, while taller or larger-flowered marigolds can be grown in large pots or in borders.

If there is no vegetation in the space where you plan on growing wildflowers, your chances of success may be a bit better if you simply toss the seeds onto the ground. However, if you really want to ensure their success, preparing the soil is highly recommended!

Theodore Payne Foundation, S&S Seeds, Larner Seeds, Seed Hunt) who specialize in California natives. If possible, use locally-native wildflower seeds, but note that it is illegal and unethical to harvest seeds from public lands without a permit. Wildflowers have been in decline for many years, leave the seeds in place.

WILL MY WILDFLOWERS COME BACK? WILL MY WILDFLOWERS COME BACK? Yes, both native annual and perennial species will return year after year once they become established and are allowed to reseed.

If possible, give your seeds a thorough, gentle soaking. (See What To Expect below for more watering tips.) Leave seeds uncovered. Unlike vegetable seeds, tiny wildflower seeds require light to germinate.

As a general rule, most planting in the Midwest can be done from mid-March to mid-May. In some areas with longer growing seasons, you have the flexibility to plant as late as mid-June.

How do I turn my yard into a wildflower meadow? ›

Wildflowers don't compete well with turfgrasses, so all existing vegetation must be removed before seeding. There are two methods to remove grass for a successful start to your meadow: smother grass with black plastic or use a sod cutter. Deciding between the two is a trade-off between time and labor.

Marigold companion planting enhances the growth of basil, broccoli, cabbage, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, kale, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Marigold also makes a good companion plant to melons because it deters beetles. Beans and cabbage are listed as bad companion plants for marigolds.

Marigolds make for stunning outdoor container plants, due to their long-lasting color and texture. Plus, they respond well to transplanting and quickly establish new roots in soil. You can "use ordinary commercial potting soil in any kind of container, but clay pots are especially good," says Groft.

The commonly planted French marigolds and African marigolds are annuals—they sprout, grow, flower, and die, all in the same year—but that doesn't mean they won't come back. Marigolds frequently self-seed, meaning their seed drops, overwinters, and germinates in the spring without any help from the gardener.

If you're planting a larger area, use a seed spreader. If it's a smaller area, you can simply spread the seed by hand. After spreading the seed, compress the seed into the soil. The better seed-to-soil contact, the better chance of germination.

While the grass seed should germinate if you just throw it on the surface, you should know that there are a few negative effects of planting the seeds in this way. It could harm the speed and success of germination and may leave you with patchy and uneven coverage.

You will need to loosen the soil before planting your new wildflower seeds or wildflower and grass mix seeds, however, avoid deep tilling. Try to only disturb the top 2-3 inches of soil, then rake smooth. Allow the weed seeds that have been exposed, to germinate, then hoe or hand pull them.

You can start flower seeds directly in your garden bed through a method called “direct-sowing.” Direct-sowing works best with annual flower seeds and wildflower seed mixes. With few exceptions, annual flower seeds should not be planted until after the last spring frost.