Did you know that planting marigolds in your vegetable garden can repel certain pests and provide many other benefits?
Here are some of the benefits of planting marigolds in your vegetable garden:
1.Attracts pollinators
One of the main benefits that marigolds supply your vegetables is that they attract pollinators. Due to them being summer-loving plants, the primary source of pollinators they invite is bees. However, there are various other pollinator-like insects that they also encourage. Bees are just the most effective at this type of job.
Vegetable crops that produce fruit require pollen to develop fruit successfully. Failing to provide enough pollen to fruit-related crops will result in them not producing the outcome you were hoping for. After a growing season, this isn’t something you’d want to encounter. So, to minimize this from happening, it’s best to introduce pollinator-loving plants inside or near your vegetable garden.
If you’re planting marigolds to primary invite bees to your garden, you should consider the different variations this plant entails. Experts say that single-bloom varieties of this plant are much more effective at introducing bees to a specific location. This is because the single-bloom type has much easier access to the bloom for bees.
2.Natural repellent
Something that can be hard to comprehend is that marigolds can act as a natural repellent for some pests. I say some because it’s very little, but anything is better than nothing, right? Anyways, marigolds are sometimes planted because they can naturally repel pests such as Mexican bean beetles and cabbage moths.
Those who haven’t been near a marigold, they have a strong and distinctive smell. Although it isn’t enough to deter us or larger pests away, it’s certainly strong enough for small insects to think twice about coming closer.
Both cabbage months and Mexican bean beetles can cause havoc to your vegetable garden. So, being able to reduce the amount these occur is most definitely a significant benefit.
3.Fight’s nematodes
Researchers have discovered that marigolds hold a secret weapon under the surface. Surprisingly, these are their roots. This is because they produce toxic chemicals, which can ultimately kill harmful nematodes.
Nematodes or commonly known as roundworms are micro animals that feed off roots. Because of their size and how they attack our plants, they can be difficult to exterminate. However, marigolds work superbly at doing just that.
All marigolds can provide this benefit. However, different species of this plant have been proven to be much better than others. The best species that can aid the protection of nematodes are French Marigolds.
After the growing season has ended, you’re able to till, plow, or turn the marigolds into the soil to enrich it with this toxin that eliminates nematodes. From doing this, throughout the winter, your ground will be nematodes free.
4.They’re companions to some vegetables
Something many people are unaware of is that marigolds are companions to some vegetables. By companions, I mean they don’t affect the development of the vegetable. Because of this, they’re able to make your vegetable garden look pleasant to the eye and also bring in the benefits on this list. Which for any vegetable garden is most definitely a plus. Some well-known companion vegetables are below:
| Cumbers | Melons |
| Eggplants | Squash |
| Potatoes | Lettuce |
| Pumpkins | Tomatoes |
| Asparagus | Beans |
| Onions | Cabbage |
| Kale | Broccoli |
| Brussel sprouts | Cauliflower |
As you can see from the above, they’re an abundance of different vegetables that marigolds can be companions too.
5.Aesthetically pleasing
It goes without saying, vegetable patches tend to look rather bland. Most vegetable plants include rather basic colors, which aren’t that exciting to the eye. However, something that can counteract that issue is marigolds.
When I think of vibrant flowers, marigolds are almost at the top of the list. Typically, they’re equipped with an orange and yellow colorway. However, you’re able to get some marigolds that include red, gold, copper, and even brass colors.
Due to the vast amount of colorways you’re able to select, makes it almost impossible to find marigolds that won’t look good in your vegetable patch.
6.Marigolds are edible
Although marigolds aren’t classified as a vegetable, they’re edible. Because of this, many people choose to put marigold petals into salads or use them for cake decorations. So, if you believe you can benefit from this type of advantage, it’s another reason why you should introduce marigolds into your vegetable garden.
7.Low maintenance flowers
Apart from all of the benefits on this list, they’re also an extremely low-maintenance flower. This is ideal because the last thing you want is to apply special care to something other than your vegetables.
The only primary requirement for a marigold flower is that they need at least 8 hours of sun each day. Apart from that, the other conditions are pretty standard, and you’ll perform this to your vegetables anyway. These include watering, applying fertilizer, etc.
Just like all plants, don’t allow these flowers to sit on soggy ground for too long. This is because being embedded within wet conditions can invite root rot and many other moisture-related diseases.
8.Pest deterrence
More plants mean more places for pets to venture to. Although developing marigolds hasn’t been proven that they physically deter pests in this way, many professionals within the gardening industry think much differently.
In the life of a pest, they’re much more intrigued by brighter and more vibrant flowers. Due to them being this way and being located near vegetables, pests gravitate towards them instead of attacking our adored crops.
9.Organic remedy
Thought you could only grow food in a vegetable garden? What about an organic remedy that can help with skin conditions, minor wounds, bedsores, rashes, eczema, and much more? Because this plant has such extreme benefits for you and your vegetables, it would be rude not to start introducing marigolds into your yard.
10.Can deter larger pests
Around your vegetable garden, you can also use marigolds as natural barriers. By doing this, you’ll reduce the chances of cats, rabbits, and maybe even mice getting onto your patch. Although it cannot eliminate this issue, it can dramatically reduce the chances of it occurring.
From the above benefits, I hope you’ve started developing an understanding of how much marigolds can benefit your garden. The advantages they offer are honestly immense and something everyone should implement today. If you’ve been persuaded by the above, and you’re eager to start planting marigolds in your vegetable garden, I suggest you read the below.
When a friend asked me about natural pest repellents for her vegetable garden, my first thought instantly was marigolds! You must plan marigolds. Wanting to know more about the benefits of planting marigolds in your vege patch, a quick internet search found this information on Mike’s Back Garden website.
You can read the full article for more helpful advice here: https://mikesbackyardgarden.org/marigolds-in-vegetable-garden/
Compiled by Minister Sharon Q.