Soak seeds overnight before planting to speed germination. Marigold seeds are not difficult to sprout, but I find this initial soaking gets them started a bit quicker. If youre direct sowing during a rainy part of spring, you wont need to pre soak the seeds.
You can start your seeds inside, but marigolds germinate fairly quickly and easily outside so I often direct sow into the garden. Once the soil is warmed in spring, plant the seeds about 1/4″ down and cover with soil. Water lightly every day till germination, then switch to every few days till well established.
Once in the garden, mulch around the base of plants to keep the soil from drying out. When seeds are just sprouting, even a few hours of dry soil can kill them, though so can over watering. Mulch helps keep the balance.
If you decide to start your seeds indoors, start them about 6 weeks before youll be moving them to the garden. Transplant seedlings to their final spot in the garden when they are a few inches tall and all danger of frost has passed.
When starting inside, use a commercial potting mix, as garden soil can compact and make it difficult for the tiny seed roots to grow. Water and place on a heat mat with a clear cover. You can use plastic wrap if your pots dont have a cover. It should only take a few days for germination. Remove clear cover when sprouts appear.
Thin when plants are about 2″ tall. In the garden, space marigolds about 8 to 10 inches from other plants. Marigolds only take a few weeks from starting seed to blooming.
Marigolds grow best in full sun. Choose a sunny location with at least 4-6 hours of direct sun. Marigold flowers best in full sun, but they can tolerate some shade. You do not need to deadhead marigolds and they bloom so profusely it would be a daily chore! However, the flowers close and dry up and the base of the flower is where the seeds are produced. So if you dont deadhead them, they will self seed. Marigold plants are not heavy feeders and when you do fertilize them, you have to be careful not to give too much. This will cause the plants to grow taller, but not produce as many flowers. I add some compost at planting time and a weak fertilizer every 2 weeks or so during blooming.
If your plants are not producing many flowers, cut back the fertilizer for a few weeks and see if they start producing more. Once established, the marigold is mostly drought resistant. I water once a week in drought conditions, otherwise they get whatever happens to rain on them and thats about it. They are heat resistant and grow in almost any kind of soil, though they prefer well drained soil.
This is one of the attributes that makes marigolds such a popular addition to flower beds and gardens. They adapt well to almost any growing condition. They will need watered a bit more in containers and raised beds though, as these tend to dry out quicker. Most marigolds are an annual and will die off at the very first frost of the year. Youll want to pull out the plants once they start to die off. I have had pretty good luck growing marigolds indoors over winter, so if you get some sprouts popping up towards fall, transplant them into pots to bring inside!
Should You Soak Marigold Seeds Before Planting?
Marigolds are a beloved annual flower known for their brightly colored pom-pom blooms in shades of yellow, orange, red and white. These hardy flowers have a place in most gardens since they repel pests, attract pollinators, and add cheer wherever they grow.
Marigolds are also quite easy to grow from seed. But when starting seeds, many gardeners wonder if they should soak marigold seeds first for better germination. Let’s explore the pros and cons of soaking seeds to help you decide.
An Overview of Soaking Marigold Seeds
Pre-soaking seeds before planting is called “priming.” This process typically involves soaking seeds in water for a period of time before sowing them.
Some of the proposed benefits of seed soaking include:
- Speeding up germination time
- Increasing total germination rate
- Encouraging stronger, healthier seedlings
However soaking can also have downsides if not done properly:
- Seeds may rot if soaked too long
- Seeds can crack or sustain other damage
- Overhydrated seeds may not store well after soaking
So whether priming marigold seeds is helpful or not depends on several factors. Let’s analyze these in more detail.
Reasons to Soak Marigold Seeds Before Planting
Here are some of the main advantages of priming marigold seeds by pre-soaking:
Accelerates Germination
Many sources report marigold seeds germinate 1-2 weeks sooner when soaked before planting This is useful for getting a head start on the growing season.
Improves Germination Rates
If seeds are soaked properly, total percent germination is often higher than dry seeded marigolds. So you may get more seedlings from soaked seeds.
Produces Stronger Seedlings
Soaked seeds often sprout more vigorously, with more robust root growth and hardier shoots. This gives them an advantage, especially when started indoors.
Reduces Irrigation Needs
The extra moisture in pre-soaked seeds reduces watering needs for the first 1-2 weeks after sowing.
If you want marigolds to germinate faster and more efficiently, pre-soaking seeds can help make that happen.
Reasons to Avoid Soaking Marigold Seeds
However, there are also some good reasons you may NOT want to soak marigold seeds before planting:
Seeds May Rot if Soaked Too Long
Marigold seeds soaked more than a few hours can imbibe too much water and begin to rot before they ever have a chance to sprout.
Causes Seed Damage
Excess water can cause seeds to crack and sustain structural damage. Handling swollen seeds may also cause unintended harm.
Reduces Seed Longevity
Soaked seeds don’t store as well. Their water content makes them more prone to mold and rotting in storage.
Not Needed for Marigolds
Since marigolds germinate quickly and easily anyway, soaking provides limited benefits for this flower.
Extra Time and Effort
Having to remember to pre-soak seeds takes more planning and work compared to simply direct sowing them.
For many seeds, soaking may cause more harm than good if not done with care.
Best Practices for Soaking Marigold Seeds
If you do wish to pre-soak marigold seeds, follow these tips:
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Only soak seeds 2-4 hours before planting. Longer increases rotting risk.
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Use room temperature water rather than cold water to avoid shocking seeds.
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Gently pour off any excess water before planting soaked seeds.
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Handle swollen seeds delicately to avoid damaging the seed coat.
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Sow soaked seeds immediately – do not store them after soaking.
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Provide optimal moisture and warmth after sowing soaked seeds.
Following best practices reduces risks and helps ensure you see the benefits of seed soaking.
When to Direct Sow Marigold Seeds
In many cases, simply direct sowing marigold seeds is the easiest approach:
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Outdoors After Frosts: Sow seeds directly in the ground after the last spring frost once soil has warmed.
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In Warm Microclimates: In frost-free regions, sow outdoors anytime temperatures are warm.
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Indoors 6-8 Weeks Before Transplanting: Sow indoors loosely in trays, then transplant seedlings outside after hardening off.
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In Moist Soil: Ensure seeds have consistent moisture to sprout since they are prone to drying out.
With proper care, marigolds germinate quickly from direct sown dry seeds making soaking optional.
So Should You Soak Marigold Seeds or Not?
Based on the pros and cons, soaking marigold seeds is generally not needed. But it may provide some benefits in certain situations:
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Soak When Starting Indoors: The confined indoor environment makes strong, quick germination more critical.
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Soak to Get a Head Start Outdoors: If you need marigolds to mature as fast as possible, soaking gives a 1-2 week jump start.
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Soak When Growing Less Common Varieties: Boosting germination rates helps when seeds are rare or expensive.
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Don’t Soak When Direct Sowing Outdoors: Seeds sown into garden beds don’t need a germination boost.
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Don’t Soak for Long Term Storage: Only soak seeds about to be immediately planted.
While marigold seed soaking isn’t mandatory, strategic priming in certain conditions can provide advantages. Just use caution not to overdo it!
But whenever possible, choose the simplest path of direct sowing unsoaked seeds into a carefully prepared seedbed. This avoids fussy extra steps while still producing vigorous seedlings.
With their colorful pom-pom blossoms and pest repelling properties, marigolds have earned their reputation as a garden staple. Aim for success by providing warm soil, consistent moisture, and sunny conditions. Then let the marigold magic happen!
How to grow marigolds from seed
Marigolds are a garden staple, known for their bright flowers and pest repelling qualities. They make excellent companion plants for tomatoes and are available in every garden nursery. Its easy to grow marigolds from seed and they often come back every year, since theyre pretty good at self seeding!
I have been growing marigolds for many years. They are one of the flowers I wrote about in 8 flowers the you need in your garden. Many gardeners grow them for their color. Their bright orange and yellow blooms attract lots of pollinators like butterflies. Since your vegetables need pollinators, its a good idea to welcome them to the garden!
Many gardeners plant marigolds near tomatoes to repel nematodes and other pests on the nearby plants. Marigolds themselves get very few pests except for the occasional mite or aphid. Its believed that the pungent scent of the marigolds discourages many pests from visiting the garden.
Theyre said to deter both rabbits and deer, though unfortunately, they do nothing for chipmunks and other rodents. Marigolds can grow thick enough to create a garden barrier, so if you need to keep rabbits out, plant them near any gaps in your fence line.
Marigold is the common name for over 50 species of flowering plants in the Tagetes family. They were native to the Americas, but have been naturalized throughout the world. Various species are grown for their medicinal properties, culinary use, decoration and even pest repellant in the garden.
Marigolds in the US are usually annuals though perennial marigolds do exist and are becoming more popular! They are a herbaceous plant in the sunflower family. They have green pinnate (feather like) leaves and grow anywhere from just a few inches tall, to a few feet tall!
The flowers of the marigold tend to look a bit like carnations. They vary in size though they generally all have ray florets and disc florets. They have fibrous roots and grow well in almost any type of soil. Marigolds prefer full sun.
The most common colors are yellow or orange with maroon colored accents, though there are several other colors.
When Do You Start Fertilizing Marigold Seeds?
Once seeds germinate, their first set of leaves are their “baby” leaves. These baby leaves are called cotyledons. At this stage, all the nutrients for the seedling is still coming from what was available in the seed.
As the seedling continues to grow, the second set of leaves appear. These are the “true” leaves. When you look closely, you can see that these true leaves even look like the adult marigold leaves.
This is when it is time to start fertilizing your seedlings with a soluble fertilizer. Fish fertilizer does work, but beware that it will make your basement and house smell like fish poop. My dogs love it, but it is too strong for everyone else! Espoma soluble fertilizers are organic like fish fertilizer, but they don’t have the strong stench.
The Right Way to Plant Marigold Seeds
FAQ
How long should you soak marigold seeds before planting?
Marigold seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing. Marigold seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Can you just scatter marigold seeds?
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil and remove any rocks or debris, making it well-draining.
- Scatter the seeds: Evenly distribute the seeds over the surface of the prepared soil.
- Lightly cover: Use a fine layer of soil or compost to cover the seeds, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- Moisten the soil: Keep the area moist until the seeds germinate.
- Thin seedlings: Once seedlings emerge, thin them out to provide space for growth.
Which side of marigold seed goes down?
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.comHow to Properly Plant Marigold Seeds for Spring – The SpruceJun 1, 2023 — Which side of marigold seed goes down? Place the seeds on the soil horizontally, which is mimicking the way the seeds naturally fall out of the seed …
What seeds should not be soaked before planting?
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Small seeds:Carrot, lettuce, radish, and spinach seeds are small and prone to clumping when soaked, making them hard to sow correctly.
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Quick germinators:Spinach, for example, germinates quickly without soaking, and pre-soaking can actually make the process more difficult.
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Specific plants:Zucchini seeds are best sown directly in the garden without any pretreatment.
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Hybrids:Many hybrid varieties have been bred to not require soaking.
Can you plant marigold seeds without soaking?
However, marigolds are fast sprouters without (under a week usually). Given the ease of germination for marigolds and the risk of over-hydration, most gardeners skip soaking marigold seeds. Sowing them directly into moist soil and keeping it consistently damp is sufficient. How many marigold seeds can you plant together?
How deep do you plant marigold seeds?
Marigold seeds need light to germinate, so no more than 1/4 inch deep. Water the soil thoroughly a day before planting to moisten it. The top few inches should be moist but not saturated. Sprinkle seeds flat over the soil surface or place in shallow trenches no more than 1/4 inch deep and 6-12 inches apart.
When should you plant marigold seeds?
For instance, in USDA hardiness zones one through seven, you can sow the marigold seeds directly into the ground in late May or early June, whereas in zones eight through eleven, you can plant them as early as March or April. It is always a good idea to consult a gardening guide or your local extension office to know the best time for your area.
Does soaking marigold seeds speed up germination?
Soaking marigold seeds does have the potential to speed up germination. However, marigolds are fast sprouters without (under a week usually). Given the ease of germination for marigolds and the risk of over-hydration, most gardeners skip soaking marigold seeds. Sowing them directly into moist soil and keeping it consistently damp is sufficient.
How do you care for a marigold plant?
Marigolds love full sun exposure. Mix in compost or fertilizer to ensure nutrient-rich soil. Water newly planted seeds daily to keep the soil consistently moist. Cover outdoor plantings with floating row cover to protect from heavy rains that can displace seeds. Marigolds germinate best at warm soil temperatures above 70°F.
How do you plant a marigold plant?
To plant, make a small hole or furrow with your finger or a gardening tool, place the seed, and gently cover it with soil. Proper spacing is essential for the healthy growth of marigolds. Planting seeds about 8 inches apart allows each plant enough space to grow without competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.