Sparky Mix, Marigold Seed

25 seed packet
 
Enjoy mounds of tawny oranges and yellows from mid-summer to first frost (and sometimes beyond). As a companion plant, Sparky Mix marigolds are the variety that will suppress 'bad' nematodes in your soil. Be sure to plant around the vegetable garden! They can also be used as a cover crop for weed suppression. Plant these marigold seeds in full sun, and deadhead (remove spent flowers) to prolong the bloom period. These marigolds work well in containers and they are surprisingly drought resistant, so can be incorporated in xeriscaping schemes. This little plant reaches a height of 30cm (12").
Annual.
 
Marigolds are somewhat prone to damping off. As a precaution, just cover the small seeds with vermiculite, water from below, and provide ventilation in the room. Space plants in the garden 30-45cm (12-18″) apart. Dwarf varieties can be spaced 15cm (6″) apart.
 
Growing
Pinch the growing tips to encourage branching. This prevents tall, spindly plants. Dead head regularly throughout the growing season.
 
Companion Planting
French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) produce chemicals that kill soil nematodes and repel whitefly. Tomatoes especially benefit being companion planted with marigolds as there is a harmful nematode in our northern climate that attack tomato roots, that marigolds will repel. Avoid planting them near beans.