Marigolds repel Mexican bean beetles
Marigolds and nasturtium repel numerous squash pest insects.
Marigolds (dug into crop soil) deter nematodes.
CALENDULA
ORANGE Calendula officinalis
Such a cheery and reliable flower in the medicinal and herb garden. This Calendula is the closest to “Alpha” which we used to offer. It has deep orange, edible flowers also used in natural cosmetics and medicinals. Blooms past the last frost. Loved by pollinators

Marigold
AfricanDark Orange MARIGOLD
Tagetes spp.
This is the tall African marigold with orange flower heads on one of the most popular garden companion flowers. The distinctive scent repels animals. Great companion plant too. Sow near tomatoes and cucumbers. Flowers summer to autumn.

French MARIGOLD
Tagetes patula, the French marigold, is a species in the daisy family (Asteraceae) It is native to Mexico and Guatemala but is found all over the world.
The flowers are edible and are sometimes ground into a powder as a substitute for saffron. We love their cheery faces in the vegetable garden. In shades of yellow to orange to burgundy. We even like their smell though they do deter nematodes.
Beneficial companion plant. They love the sun and are very easy to care for. Flowers summer to autumn. Attracts beneficials. Full sun. Edible.

HOW TO GROW MARIGOLDS
Germination from large, easily handled seeds is rapid, and blooms should appear within a few weeks of sowing.
Once the marigolds have established themselves, pinch off the tops of the plants to encourage them to grow bushier. This will keep the plants from becoming leggy and will encourage more blooming.
Marigolds don’t require deadheading, but if dying blossoms are regularly removed, it will encourage the plant to continue blooming profusely.
When you water marigolds, allow the soil to dry somewhat between waterings, then water well and repeat the process. Water more in high heat.
Do not water marigolds from overhead. Water at the base of the plant. (Excess water on leaves can lead to powdery mildew.)
Do not fertilize marigolds during growth. Too rich a diet stimulates lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
The densely double flowerheads of the African marigolds tend to rot in wet weather.
Add a layer of mulch between plants to suppress weeds and keep soil moist, especially when plants are young.
Deadheading marigolds is very simple:
When a blossom starts to go bad, pinch (cut) its stem back to the nearest set of leaves.
This will encourage the plant to produce more blossoms, extending the flowering season.

PESTS/DISEASES
Farmers and gardeners have long known that marigolds make important companion plants all over the garden. The underground workings of the marigold will repel nematodes (microscopic worms) and other pests for up to 3 years.
Marigolds have few pests or problems. Mites and aphids sometimes infest marigolds. Usually a spray of water or the application of an insecticidal soap, repeated every other day for a week or two, will solve the problem
Occasionally marigolds will get a fungal infection if conditions are too wet. To prevent fungal issues, avoid getting water on the marigolds’ leaves, keep weeds down, and plant in well-drained soil.

For years, farmers have included the open-pollinated African marigold ‘Crackerjack’ in chicken feed to make egg yolks a darker yellow.

COOKING NOTES
The bright petals of signet marigolds add color and a spicy tang to salads and other summer dishes.
The flower petals are sometimes cooked with rice to impart the color (but, unfortunately, not the flavor) of saffron.
‘Mexican Mint’ (sometimes called Texas tarragon) is a sturdy little herb that can be substituted for French tarragon in cooking. This species has been long used in Latin America for tea as well as seasoning.