French marigolds are the veggie gardener's favourite flower — vivid, non-stop blooms whose roots are said to deter soil nematodes, and whose flowers draw in the good bugs. A classic edging plant for a raised bed.
Quick facts
- Position: full sun
- Spacing: 20–25 cm apart
- Tub depth: our 23 cm depth
- Time to harvest: 8–10 weeks to flower
When to plant: Marigolds are frost-tender — sow or plant from spring through summer for months of colour. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.
Growing it in a raised bed: Sow seed or plant seedlings into the mix in full sun. Deadhead regularly for continuous flowering. They're tough, bright and forgiving.
How to use it: The petals are edible (mild and slightly citrusy) and the flowers are cheerful in salads. In the veggie patch they're prized for deterring root-knot nematodes and pulling in hoverflies and bees.
Common pests: keep an eye out for aphids and slugs and snails, though flowers are seldom much bothered. See our safe pest guide.
Common problems: the main one to watch is powdery mildew, usually in damp, crowded conditions. Good airflow prevents most.
Where to plant it: Plant them along bed edges and among tomatoes; a classic pest-deterring companion. See our companion planting guide.
More growing guides: calendula, nasturtiums and cosmos.
Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.
Image: Avenue, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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