Marigold - Sparky Mix Seeds

An annual French marigold that blooms in bright yellow and orange. It is very hardy and attracts beneficial insects. Plant outside 2 weeks before the last frost or start indoors. Packet plants 50 sq. ft area. 

Sparky Marigold seeds can be started inside or directly sown into garden soil.

Caring for marigolds is very easy. The hardy plants tolerate sun, heat, drought, and nearly any well-drained soil. 

Plant 1/2" deep and keep the soil surface moist until emergence. Transition outside (harden) for 7 days before outdoor transplant. Space 12" apart. In warmer climates, marigold seeds can be directly planted outdoors in the garden. Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.

Flowers are a mix of gold, orange, red, yellow or bi-colored. Plants grow to 20 inches tall and are long-blooming. Recommended for containers, beds & borders, and the pollinator garden.

Each packet contains 300 Marigold - Sparky Mix seeds. Tagetes patula. Annual. Open-pollinated, heirloom, non-GMO. $3.00

Benefits - Marigold flowers are edible and make beautiful presentations on plates and when threaded onto long strings. 

The Tagetes plant can be used for digestive tract problems including poor appetite, gas, stomach pain, colic, intestinal worms, and dysentery. It is also used for coughs, colds, mumps, fluid retention, and sore eyes; and causing sweating.

In the garden:

Nematode control – The roots and stems of marigolds emit a chemical that may suppress the population of root-knot nematodes, tiny soilborne worms that feed on the roots of ornamental plants and vegetables. 

Bees and other beneficial insects – Marigolds attract ladybugs, parasitic wasps, hoverflies, and other beneficial insects that protect your plants from aphids and other harmful pests. The blooms draw bees and other important pollinators.

Marigold companion planting – When planted nearby, marigolds may protect cruciferous plants from cabbage worms, and tomato plants from hornworms, probably because scent confuses the pests. Marigold is also a good companion when planted near bush beans, squash, cucumbers, and eggplant.

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