A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Marigolds

I sowed some marigold seeds back in April. I didnt know how to grow them. One plant grew and is now blooming. They must be easy to grow.

Marigolds are one of the easiest and quickest of blooming plants, Enrique. They often bloom in about six weeks from planting date. They are also one of the easiest to harvest seeds from. Just pull on the dried petals and you end up with dozens of the little black and white seeds. For us in zone 9, we can often have them growing year round too.

enrique, I've 'weeded' marigolds from my garden 4 times since spring. I didn't plant any this year. they are all volunteers from last year.
SO, YES. they are very easy. and wonderful to have.

I only have one plant and it is blooming profusely.I planted it next to a tomato plant.

marigolds are also great companion plants to deter some kinds of beetles from neighboring plants and some growing vegetables.

How can I prolong the blooming period of marigolds?

Dead head them. But do let some blooms go to seed fully dried so you can have a lot more next year. They are just an annual even in zone 9 so have a limited life span. Each plant begins to look ratty when they near the end of their season. For continuous bloom. plant more seeds before or as that is happening. You can have some blooms from them through all but the very harshest of winters.

keep pinching off the dead blooms as soon as you see them. as long as it can't make seeds, it'll keep on blooming