| Marigold |
| Marigolds are fantastic flowers to have in your garden. I have them here in pots, and they also act as a colourful companion to flowers, vegetables, and herbs alike. There are two types—French and African; I have grown both here, and both varieties, I believe, have deterred some insects. There is a lot of controversy concerning the natural repellant properties of marigolds among gardeners and ‘scientists’. So, from my personal experience and opinion, I write this. Having marigolds in your garden has many benefits, from pest control to colour and even inclusion in the kitchen. They can release a chemical from their roots into the soil to keep nematodes away. Once they have a firm hold on plants’ origins, nematodes can be challenging to get rid of, so any help is hugely beneficial. Equally, the marigold can aid in keeping beetles, mosquitoes, and aphids at bay. You can also make your own homemade marigold insect spray by placing water and petals into a blender and blitzing for a few seconds only. Pour contents into a bottle and sit for 48 hours with an occasional shake. Once done, strain the contents and pour them into a spray bottle. Should you wish, add a few drops of non-chemical washing liquid to aid in ‘stickability’ and a few cups of water to dilute further, and away you go. The mixture is suitable for a week, and anything unused is disposed of. Marigolds attract pollinators and are beneficial to bug life. Some gardeners report slugs and snails loving this plant, while others, like myself, have never experienced that behaviour. I have a lot of both in this garden. Some use marigolds as a distraction, planting them as ‘fodder’ for slugs and snails to keep them away from other plants. As companions, they are great with tomato plants, potatoes, cucumbers, and peppers, amongst a few others. However, some plants, like beans, are not keen on their closeness. Above all else, they are just so charmingly attractive as plants and add superb colour to your beds and herbs. |
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