Companion Planting with Marigolds

[Neko-Chan]

I have seen many references to companion planting with marigolds, but I've seen "pot" marigolds and just "marigolds" used. Do all marigolds make a good companion plant, or is the pot marigold the one you want?

If anyone could clarify the matter, that'd be great.

[Green Aura]

The only ones I've used for companion planting are 1) pot marigolds (Calendula) in my veg beds outside (I'm not sure what they do but they look lovely! ) and 2) french marigolds (Tagetes) in the greenhouse/polytunnel to ward off aphids - they work very well.

[niknik]

A bit confusing isn´t it N-C?

I got some last year. a friend told me to et pot marigolds................ and albeit there were several plants together, said some were, some weren´t...........
I actually believe that was wrong......

as fa ras I´ve worjked out there are pot marigolds. Calendula oficinalis. which are orange. but seem to come in anuything from yellow through to nearly red ,
and

then the others, french, mexican, common. which are tagetes, and sonme other plants also known as something marigolds, which are different species again and look totally different.

Sooooo Marigolds. .. Calendula ( oficinals) .whatevershade of yrllowt/orange /red. seems to be the ones you want...


However I could be wrong.maybe someone with some expertise can confirm. (or not=)



Unless of course you were thinking of putting the rubberglove version round your plants

[bonniethomas06]

Hi,

I am not sure it matters - we used french marigolds (tagetes) with our potatoes last year and it worked beautifully.

Word of warning though - if you are using tagetes, only use ONE plant per two or three potato plants. We used about three each, because they were so tiny and spindly looking at the beginning of the season, only to find they went moster raving loony mad and grew almost as big as the potatoes, sucking up all of the moisture from the soil.

Still, no whitefly came within 1/2 mile of it!

[oldjerry]

I've used common tag, the big potthings are mostly F1 so the seed will cost you an arm and a leg.Dont know how effective they are,but I REALLY like the smell of the foliage(this may be wierd). Best Wishes.

[becks77]

Not sure if this helps or not, but the last time I planted marigolds the slugs beheaded them overnight!!!

[Neko-Chan]

Thanks for the help, I'll know what to look for now. :)

[Millymollymandy]

I've heard that French marigolds (Tagetes) ward off white fly so I plant them amongst my tomatoes outside - don't know if this actually does anything but they look pretty and now they just self seed in the veg patch. They do grow monster in there compared to my flower beds though!

[Veggiesauraus]

MARIGOLDS: (Calendula): Keeps soil free of bad nematodes. The marigolds you choose must be a scented variety for them to work. One down side is that marigolds do attract spider mites and slugs.

French Marigold (T. patula) These marigolds also help to deter whiteflies when planted around tomatoes and can be used in greenhouses for the same purpose. Whiteflies hate the smell of marigolds. Do not plant French marigolds next to bean plants.

:)

[chuck_n_grace]

Hi,
Last year we grew marigolds in each of our six raised beds. In addition, we interlaced them with green onions. The goal of course was to manage pests 'organically'.

Firstly, it seemed to work pretty well to ward off pests.

Secondly, the marigolds grew to be over 3' tall. They did look gorgeous, but they seemed to rob the veggies of valuable nutrients. The tomatoes for example, didn't produce the size and quantity we expected.

So this year, we continued with the green onion borders since they don't seem to be heavy feeders. For marigolds, we're planning on putting them into pots and placing them around the garden beds. Perhaps this will draw the slugs away.

Regards,
Chuck