Strawberry Blonde, Marigold Seed

25 seed packet
 
Strawberry Blonde French marigold brightens the garden with its colour changing blooms in lovely shades of yellow, coral, and rose. An excellent choice for containers and landscape borders. In cooler temperatures, colour contrast is more distinct. Keep spend flowers deadheaded for a continuous carpet of blooms midsummer to fall. Mounded habit of 20-25cm x 20-25cm (8-10" x 8-10).
 
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.