How to Landscape With Marigolds

Marigolds are a hardy and attractive flower. They make nice bedding, edging and landscaping plants. Gardeners have been using them for landscaping, nematode reduction and natural pest repellents for years. There are several types of marigolds, and your selection will depend largely on the amount of space in your yard. The sizes of different cultivars range from 6 inches to 3 feet. This hardy annual is easy to grow and will bloom spring through summer, with colors ranging from yellow, red, orange to white.

Seeds
Tape measure
Balanced fertilizer
Hardwood mulch

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the planting area. Select a site that gets more than six hours of full sun per day and has well-drained soil. Marigolds are hardy plants, but they flower and thrive best under these conditions.
- 2
  Select the variety of marigolds that is appropriate for your landscape. If you have a large landscape area, consider multiple varieties and sizes of marigolds. Check the back of the seed packages for spacing recommendations.
- 3
  Arrange the plants based on height to make an attractive landscape. The tallest specimens should be in the back and the shortest toward the front of the landscaped area. Make sure the marigold colors complement existing plantings. Consider using marigolds as edging in smaller spaces.
- 4
  Sow seeds directly into the soil once the threat of frost has passed. Place them 1/4-inch in the ground and lightly cover them with soil. Water immediately after planting them.
- 5
  Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer weekly during the growing season. Fertilizer will keep the plant looking healthy and growing strong.
- 6
  Add 2 to 3 inches of hardwood mulch around the plants. Mulch will limit watering, keep weeds down and make the plantings more attractive.
- 7
  Remove -- deadhead -- spent blossoms, during the growing season, to prolong blooming.

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