When is it time to plant marigold seedlings in open ground?

Perhaps the flowers of marigolds are not as fascinating and refined as those of roses or peonies, but this plant is still not in vain a favorite of gardeners throughout Russia. Medicinal properties, bright large flowers, ideal for decorating flower beds, and the ability to scare away pests from themselves and from adjacent plants have contributed to their popularity. Sounds great, doesn't it? But marigolds would hardly be so widespread if they were not so easy to grow.

Why choose seedlings over seeds?

Why plant seedlings if marigolds are unpretentious and germinate right in the soil from seeds without any problems, you ask? Well, even the most resistant plant has its own preferences and nuances of growth.

• Marigolds are very afraid of frost, so if you do not want all your seedlings to die, you can plant seeds in the ground not earlier than the end of May, when the soil warms up, and strong temperature changes are no longer expected. Meanwhile, planting seeds for seedlings begins in March, because it is very easy to create the necessary conditions for marigolds at home.
• The earlier you plant seeds for seedlings, the more mature the plant will be when planted in the ground and the faster you will see it bloom. So, if you sow seeds in the ground at the end of May, the first flowers will appear only at the end of July, but if you plant strong seedlings in May, then the marigolds will begin to please the eye in just a week. The benefits are obvious!
• And yes, plants planted in open ground by seedlings have a higher survival rate than seeds, half of which may simply not sprout, leaving bald patches in a flower bed you have thought out to the smallest detail. Such marigolds will be larger, their flowers will be more magnificent, and the flowering period itself will be a little longer.

Advice

If you are still too lazy and decide to plant marigolds with seeds directly into the ground, at least cover them with a film, creating a greenhouse effect. This will increase the chances of high germination and strong plants, and it will be easier for marigolds to survive small, but such difficult temperature changes for them.

How to grow strong marigold seedlings?

If you have ever planted seedlings of vegetables or other flowers, you will not have any problems with planting marigolds. But what is really there, even a beginner with zero experience in gardening will be able to grow his first marigolds. So, what are the rules you need to adhere to in order for the seedlings to grow strong, and from growing it you have only positive emotions?

• First you need to select good seeds: you need to choose not only for the beauty of the flowers, but also for the integrity of the packaging and the date of packing. It is better to take seeds not older than 2 years in a moisture-proof package that is difficult to tear and in which the fungus will definitely not settle.
• Before planting the seeds in the ground, it is better to soak and germinate: not that this will greatly affect the strength of the plants, but the growth process in this case will go a little faster, and flowering will begin in a shorter time. The seeds are usually soaked in warm water for several hours, then spread out on a damp cloth in a bowl and covered with a lid to create a greenhouse effect. You need to leave the seeds for swelling and germination for 2-3 days, and when the sprouts hatch, you can proceed to the next stage.
• IN seedling box be sure to put expanded clay or make holes in the bottom to drain water: you don't want young plants to rot, do you? As for the soil, it is better to buy loose peat-sandy soil in the store.If you prepare the ground yourself, do not forget to get rid of fungi and parasites by freezing for 10-15 days in winter, steaming and antifungal solution.
• Now you need to plant seeds in a container with expanded clay and earth at an interval of 1 centimeter if you are going to dive them, and 6-7 centimeters if you are not supposed to dive. In general, the seeds can be immediately planted in separate cups, but if you need a lot of plants, this is not very convenient, especially when you are not sure of their germination.
• Sprinkle the seeds with about a centimeter layer of soil, do not crush, and spray generously with water using a spray bottle. We do not recommend using a watering can: from a directed stream of water, the seeds can deepen and shift, but we do not need this.
• Now the box needs to be covered with glass or foil, ensure the temperature is 24-25 ° C and water so that the soil does not have time to dry out, before the shoots appear.
• When the first shoots appear, the glass or film is removed, and watering is reduced to moderate as the earth dries up. But at this stage there is a small problem: the optimal temperature for the development of seedlings, unlike germination, is 18-20˚С, and in March or early April they heat in such a way that it is difficult to ensure this temperature even on the balcony. In this case, you can fence off the box with seedlings standing by the window using cellophane. Yes, you won't be able to admire the view from the window for about a month, but then you can admire healthy marigolds.
• When 2 true leaves appear, the plants can be dived by planting them at a greater distance or in separate cups until they are planted in the ground.

Advice

You can also grow marigolds on the balcony without planting in open ground at all according to the scheme for growing seedlings. Then you can start germinating seeds already in January-February: in March, blooming sunny flowers will tell you about the arrival of spring.

We plant seedlings in open ground

If you are counting on a beautiful flower bed, it is important to know when, where and how to plant marigold seedlings correctly. The plant may be unpretentious, but it will bloom in all its glory only if you take care of it.

• Planting in open ground begins with choosing the time and place: we have already said that before the end of May it is better not to risk it, and the soil should be chosen loose, with good air and moisture conductivity. Most likely, the soil in your garden is fine for this purpose. When you have to choose between shadow and light, choose light: marigolds tolerate both modes well, but in the sun with moderate humidity, they bloom more intensely.
• Before planting, you can take the box with flowers outside for a few days to allow the plants to acclimatize, but then it's up to the garden trowel and watering can. It is necessary to bury the seedlings almost at the cotyledonous leaves, especially if the seedlings are stretched out during growth.
• Caring for a flower bed will involve removing weeds, watering moderately to avoid root rot, and picking up dead blossoms to induce new blooms. It is not necessary to feed the marigolds, but if you wish, you can feed them once every 2 weeks before the first flowering.

Advice

If your friends have marigolds, they probably collect seeds for planting next year, so you can take some from them. Next year, do the same: wait until several flowers have completely wither, collect the seeds from them, dry them and store them in a paper envelope until spring.

With our guide, you will definitely be able to grow marigolds with your own hands, even if this is your first gardening experience!