How to Grow the African Flagstaff Marigold

Locate a spot in your garden that receives at least six hours of direct sun from spring to summer. In May or June, loosen the soil with your cultivator or hoe. If you have clay soil, work in a mixture of three parts compost and one part sand to improve drainage and soil fertility.

Place the seeds in the bed. Depending on your gardening style, you can plant them in rows or randomly scatter them over an area. Although you'll be thinning the seedlings later, space your seeds at least 6 inches apart. Cover the seeds with a 1/4 inch layer of loose soil.

Water the seeds enough to thoroughly moisten the soil but not so much that you wash the seeds away. Keep the area moist, but not wet. Within two weeks you will see seedlings sprout.

Thin the seedlings to one plant every 10 to 12 inches once the seedlings have developed three to five sets of leaves. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings have reached a height of 6 inches. By then, they should have a strong root system and will need watering only when the soil is dry.

Feed your Flagstaff marigolds with a balanced slow-release fertilizer once when they are growing and again when flower buds begin to form. After the flowers bloom, leave the seeds heads on until they dry. You can then remove the seed heads and save the seeds for next year's garden.