If you're ready for a big, bold flower that's a cinch to grow, then you're ready to learn how to grow marigolds. These drought-resistant, pest-resistant, cold-resistant lookers will keep your garden stacked with bright blooms spring through fall, so try growing marigolds throughout your garden this year.

Growing Marigolds from Seeds and Seedlings

With just a few tips and hints, growing marigolds (Tagetes) is actually quite easy. Before you start planting your seeds though, remember the following:

• If you're planting marigold seeds indoors, sow them 4-6 weeks before the last frost.
• If you're planting marigold seeds outdoors, sow them after the last frost.
• Plant African marigolds 12-24 inches apart (because they grow tall—up to 3 feet) and French and Signet marigolds 6-10 inches apart (because they're quite a bit smaller—only up to about 18 inches).
• Plant in fertile to average, well-drained soil.
  Effects of humic acids from vermicomposts on plant growth [An article from: European Journal of Soil Biology]
  Learn more
  N.Q. Arancon
  

Growing Marigolds: How to Cultivate and Care for Marigold Flowers

While most varieties are wonderfully forgiving and drought-resistant, note the following while growing marigolds to keep their blooms healthy, hearty and around through the fall:

• Don't water marigold flowers from above (doing so can rot the blossoms).
• Dead head and pinch off spent blooms to encourage continuous blooming.
• Grow marigolds in partial shade in hot climates (as overly hot, humid weather can slow flowering).
  

Why Grow Marigolds?

If you've asked yourself "Why should I grow marigolds?," let me tell you: Grow marigolds because they're gorgeous, industrious, easy to grow and care for, and good pest deterrents. And, if that's not enough for you, they're tasty too.
(Okay, only some varieties are tasty … but still, you're curious now, aren't you?) And the next time someone tells you they don't grow marigolds because marigolds are so common, remind them that butterflies are common too (there are over 20,000 species of them, as a matter of fact) but that doesn't make butterflies any less beautiful. Rarity isn't the yardstick by which beauty is measured—pleasure is. So grow marigolds and tell those garden snobs to piss off.

Do you grow marigolds? Do you have any growing tips to share?

(Images graciously provided by cygnus921, tamaryszek and stephenray. Thanks!)