by Susan Klatz Beal

Created on: February 08, 2009   Last Updated: September 01, 2010

Tagetes, or marigolds, the name by which they are more commonly known, are very easy to grow. Because they originated in and are native to South America, Mexico and Argentina, gardeners in the United States grow them as annuals. Marigolds are very easy to start from seed. They sprout very easily and grow successfully in most types of soil. If you want to plant them around vegetable plants (because they are a good natural insecticide,) you may want to start them inside in advance.

Starting the seeds:

Since it normally takes about 45 to 50 days for marigolds to flower, the ideal time to sow the seeds indoors would be sometime between the end of March and the beginning of April. Seeds should be planted in a planting medium that is rich in organic matter and that drains adequately.

Ultimately, when the seedlings are transplanted into the ground, the soil into which you plant them should also have proper drainage and be rich in organic matter. A very efficient and immediate way by which to improve the quality of your soil, albeit minimally, is to use peat pellets or peat pots for starting marigold seeds.

In either case, the entire pot can be planted right in the ground. With a peat pellet, there is no need to do anything but plant the pellet, complete with plant. Although you CAN plant the peat pot as is, some people prefer to tear the pot apart and put the torn pieces into the ground along with the plant and soil mix.

When first planting the seeds, if you use a seed starting mix, be sure that it doesn't contain any fertilizer. If you use a regular potting mix, be sure you add plenty of peat moss and Perlite, and once again, make sure that the soil mix you use doesn't contain fertilizer.

Most fertilizers tend to be high in nitrogen. Although nitrogen based fertilizers have their place, they do nothing to aid the growth or promote the blooming of flowering plants. When it come to vegetables, they don't provide the plants with nutrients that are necessary for the formation of fruits.

During the germination process and up until the final transplantation, it is necessary to keep the seeds moist. As long as the seeds are fresh and viable, it shouldn't take more than a week for the seeds to germinate. Some seeds may germinate in as short a time as a few days.

*Transplanting seedlings :

Before transplanting marigold seedlings into the ground or into pots, be sure that the soil is well tilled. If you have added organic matter such as compost to the soil, make sure that

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