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Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden Important Things They Do

April 13, 2017 by Tiffany Davis 45 Comments

Marigolds in the vegetable garden, offer us so much as gardeners and homesteaders. Do you know why? Let me share the top 6 reasons you should be planting marigolds in the vegetable garden…if you aren’t already.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 1, Helping & Attracting Bees

As vegetable gardeners we know the importance of bees to the success of garden…aka pollination. Marigolds not only attract bees but they help the to thrive and survive! BUT if you are planting marigolds in the vegetable garden as part of your bee attracting plan there are a few caveats to be aware of (I’ve learned this the hard way). Bees prefer the single-bloom varieties of marigolds over the double. Secondly I highly recommend only planting seeds or flowers grown in organic conditions; the ones purchased at big-box stores contain insecticides that are bad for bees and your garden.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden Important Things They Do - 6 Amazing Benefits for gardeners and homesteaders.

Marigolds in the vegetable garden, offer us so much as gardeners and homesteaders. Do you know why? Let me share the top 6 reasons you should be planting marigolds in the vegetable garden…if you aren’t already.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 1, Helping & Attracting Bees

As vegetable gardeners we know the importance of bees to the success of garden…aka pollination. Marigolds not only attract bees but they help the to thrive and survive! BUT if you are planting marigolds in the vegetable garden as part of your bee attracting plan there are a few caveats to be aware of (I’ve learned this the hard way). Bees prefer the single-bloom varieties of marigolds over the double. Secondly I highly recommend only planting seeds or flowers grown in organic conditions; the ones purchased at big-box stores contain insecticides that are bad for bees and your garden.

So before reading any of the other reasons to plant marigolds in the vegetable garden please note that I recommend only organically grown seeds and transplants.  

Check out these organic varities from Seeds Now

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 2, Protecting Tomatoes

Marigolds and tomatoes are BFFs! The French Marigold is the best choice for tomato protection. Planting French Marigolds near your tomatoes has show to repel nematodes (learn more about nematodes here), slugs, tomato horn worms and other garden pests.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 3, Companion for Other Vegetables Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden Important Things They Do

Marigolds in the vegetable garden is a companion plant to bush beans, potatoes, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, squash, eggplant and kale. Again the French Marigold is the best bet but the Mexican Marigold and be extremely helpful too. The marigolds will help these veggies deter beetles, slugs leaf hoppers, bean beetles and the dreaded horn worms.

The strong scent of marigolds may be the reason they are such amazing helpers in the garden. Their scent masks the scent of your vegetables so garden pests and predators are not attracted there.

It should be noted that they can attract spider mites and in some areas slugs – though I have never seen this personally.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 4, They Add Color and Beauty

If being tough little pest fighters isn’t enough of a reason to plant marigolds in the vegetable garden, then let them add some gorgeous color and beauty to it. Now I think my veggies are beautiful, don’t get me wrong; but flowers just add a touch of whimsy and shot of knock-out color that can’t be beat.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 5, Low Maintenance Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden Important Things They Do

Another great thing about marigolds in the vegetable garden is that they are pretty low maintenance. As flowers go, they are easy to care for and will continue to grow for several seasons. They are hardy enough to stand up to droughts and frosts.

Marigolds in the Vegetable Garden – Reason 6, Medicinal Calendula

The medicinal herb calendula is in the marigold family. It has wonderful medicinal benefits when made into Calendula Oil or Calendula Salves; like helping skin conditions, rashes, wounds, bed sores, eczema and varicose veins. It can aid in treating itchiness, sores, inflammation and skin softening.

See the difference between French Marigolds and Pot Marigolds (Calendula) here.

So there you have it, 6 reasons to plant marigolds in the vegetable garden. Are you using marigolds in your garden? What has your experience been with them? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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Filed Under: Companion Planting, Gardening

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Comments

  1. jenny@ gardening says

    April 23, 2017 at 5:51 am

    Great knowledge, I can apply for his small vegetable garden to protect my tomatoes. Preventing some species of beetles sabotage. I think this is a safe solution without having to use pesticides for vegetable garden. It helps to make the vegetables cleaner because there are no toxic chemicals. Thank you for your article

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    April 23, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    This is a great resource! I am looking to add some Marigolds to my garden. I love them!

    Reply
  3. Mike Anderson says

    June 22, 2017 at 3:56 am

    Hello Tiffany, This is a good resource. I am looking to add some marigold garden. This is also attractive to bees and butterflies that looks awesome. I love your blog very much. I like gardening and planting flowers. Thanks for sharing your lovely blog with us.

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      June 22, 2017 at 5:10 am

      Thank you Mike – you made my day! 🙂 Enjoy your marigolds.

      Reply
      • Selby Maseko says

        May 20, 2019 at 10:10 pm

        I have experimented this concept and it resulted in production of the best butter nuts . I’ve allowed marigolds to grow wildly in my garden and they indeed blend pretty well with my veggies and even with other flowers # try it

        Reply
  4. Jackie says

    June 27, 2017 at 6:54 pm

    I made a raised garden with cement blocks and planted herbs plus marigolds in the holes of blocks. They made it attractive, plus attracted bees for my vegetables. Will be doing this evey planting time.

    Reply
    • Elisabet Kermanshahi says

      March 10, 2018 at 9:14 pm

      Did u use cinder blocks… or another kind of cement blocks?
      Where did you purchase the cement blocks?

      Reply
    • Barry Gounden says

      January 24, 2021 at 2:31 pm

      The snails love marigold seedlings How doIsort my snail problem

      Reply
      • Tiffany Davis says

        January 24, 2021 at 2:41 pm

        Have you tried Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth?

        Reply
  5. Hazel Hummel says

    July 6, 2017 at 6:57 am

    Thanks they sure are adding sparkle to my garden and doing double duty by detering pest and extra by attracting bees

    Reply
  6. Judy says

    July 7, 2017 at 9:21 pm

    Hi Tiffany 🙂 So glad to see your post! I have been using marigolds in my vegetable and herb gardens for many years. I really can’t remember who gave me the advice a long time ago, but every year I’m so grateful. Having recently moved, and started a new garden this year, my new neighbors have been curious about the marigolds. I’ve passed on the good advice once given to me. I love that I can share my garden produce with family and friends without feeling badly about using chemicals. (Another little thing I did this year was to buy the bright little spinners that children love to hold up into the wind. They work great to keep unwanted rabbits, squirrels, and birds away from my veggie garden. I get them at the Dollar store.) Keep up the great advice! I’ll be watching for more. Happy gardening! Judy

    Reply
  7. Kathy Baker says

    March 13, 2018 at 10:18 am

    Hi Tiffany,

    I’ve been planting marigolds and zinnia’s in my vegetable garden for years. My mother and grandmother were avid gardners and passed on some of their wisdom to me. I swear by the marigolds and zinnia’s keeping pests out. I actually started my marigolds and zinnia’s last week. Thought I’d share the information on zinnia’s too.

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      March 14, 2018 at 6:24 am

      You can’t beat grandmother / mother experience! 😉

      Reply
  8. Shannon says

    April 30, 2018 at 6:30 pm

    Wondering how to plant them around the tomatoes…I planted them between my plants last year and still had a few horn worms. Not a lot – probably about 5 total. But they were huge! Can you elaborate on how far apart to space them ?

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      May 1, 2018 at 5:09 am

      I don’t really have a specific spacing. I just plant them around the entire box (garden). No pest control is 100% full proof but they sure do keep things down.

      Reply
  9. S Ctrisp says

    May 13, 2018 at 2:13 am

    Unlike you i have found that slugs and snails actually the marigolds so getting them big enough to help my tomatoes and other veg is something of a problem

    Reply
    • Kathy says

      August 9, 2018 at 5:18 am

      They make a great trap crop for slugs & snails. Since they are loved by them they go to marigolds instead of your food crops. I go out in the evenings and pick them off marigolds and give them a beer bath. I swear I can get hundreds in an evening at the start of season, less in time, but my food crops are saved.

      Reply
    • Colette says

      April 3, 2020 at 10:43 pm

      Am looking forward to planting marigolds among my tomatoes this year. Usually I used them as a border around my one rose bush in the middle of my yard. Am excited to try this out.

      Reply
  10. Kristin R Pritchar says

    June 24, 2018 at 9:37 pm

    I planted them all around the perimeter of my garden. I have always planting Marigolds in my garden better they work wonders and our beautiful on top of that. Especially when they start blooming really good

    Reply
  11. Deb says

    June 30, 2018 at 11:55 am

    Marigolds are a great trap plant for Japanese beetles in your garden. Keeping them away from the edibles. They come in hoards to marigolds here in Va. Making it easy scoop off a bunch with one swipe into soapy water.

    Reply
  12. Kasey says

    March 31, 2019 at 3:43 am

    I’ve always planted marigolds around my vegetables. It’s a family tradition as a way to help control pests. I’m glad to see that others do this too. I have noticed fewer hornworms when the marigolds are thriving.

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      March 31, 2019 at 4:18 am

      They do add beauty as well as pest control.

      Reply
  13. Carol L says

    April 9, 2019 at 10:04 pm

    You have listed Number 1 twice, and there are only 5 reasons, not 6 due to this error in printing. Is there another reason, or are there only 5?

    Reply
    • Marie says

      June 7, 2019 at 9:46 am

      Although #1 is listed twice, there are still six reasons listed, #1 bees, #2 protect tomatoes, #3 companion, #4 color and beauty, #5 low maintenance, #6 medicinal.

      Reply
  14. Amy says

    April 15, 2019 at 11:51 am

    I just started my merigolds this weekend indoors. I’m a little late this year but they seem to grow fast so I decided to go for it

    Reply
  15. Brittany says

    June 18, 2019 at 6:20 pm

    I see where it says they may attract slugs bjt never seen that in person. I tried the marigolds around my gardens before even flower garden edges and they were incested in slugs. They ate the marigolds and left slime all over them it was gross . haha. But I hear now its just a tale to put them around gardens. But we all still plant them just for the sake of it and the hopes that itll repel and deter something.

    Reply
  16. Jane says

    June 19, 2019 at 7:50 am

    I didn’t know you could eat marigolds. Thanks for the info. WE use them throughout our garden but never considered eating them.

    Reply
  17. Charlene says

    July 15, 2019 at 9:33 am

    Marigolds have super powers. Beautiful and so helpful to the garden. I haven’t gone for far as to eat them but everything else I am here for

    Reply
  18. Lauren says

    September 11, 2019 at 12:13 pm

    So my marigolds have literally taken over the garden boxes. How do you slow these things down from growing??? They are huge. Can they be dug up and split into smaller plants?

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      September 13, 2019 at 5:26 am

      You can divide them.

      Reply
  19. janet clattenburg says

    November 5, 2019 at 4:09 am

    whenever I plant Marigolds in the garden the earwigs eat them up til there is nothing left

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      November 5, 2019 at 5:34 am

      Janet this article has great tips for getting rid of earwigs – https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-i-get-rid-of-earwigs-1402695

      Reply
  20. Blossom Fagan says

    November 7, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    Any remedies for white flies on peppers?

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      November 8, 2019 at 5:45 am

      Predator insects, such as parasitic wasps and ladybugs, yellow sticky traps to catch flies or insecticidal soap and oil sprays.

      Reply
  21. Brenda Williams says

    March 27, 2020 at 3:52 pm

    Great information I will try it.

    Reply
  22. Kristina says

    March 28, 2020 at 2:46 pm

    Do they yellow marigolds work for the gardens as well or only the red/orange French marigolds? I’m hoping I didn’t buy a whole flat of yellow marigolds for no reason.

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      April 5, 2020 at 6:49 pm

      I’ve used both! You should be ok!!!

      Reply
  23. Manuela says

    April 19, 2020 at 11:33 pm

    I use to plant them in my garden for their color and beauty. Now, I have more reasons for planting them! Thank you for sharing this article!

    Reply
  24. Varun Sharma says

    June 11, 2020 at 12:17 am

    These are beautiful flowers.

    Reply
  25. Ernest says

    July 10, 2020 at 10:48 am

    Can I intercrop Marigolds with Cabbages?

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      July 23, 2020 at 9:01 am

      I do!

      Reply
  26. Balwant Singh says

    August 3, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    Seems I can easily apply this vegetable garden to protect my tomatoes and other veggies. It helps to protect & make the vegetables more cleaner as there are no toxic chemicals involved in this process. Thank you for your article

    Reply
  27. Linda Langdon says

    October 27, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    Marigolds. Also are good to attract praying mantis.

    Reply
  28. jessie says

    January 23, 2021 at 12:46 am

    I can undoubtedly apply this vegetable nursery to ensure my different veggies. It assists with ensuring and make the vegetables more cleaner as there are no poisonous synthetics associated with this cycle. Much obliged to you for your article.

    Reply
    • Tiffany Davis says

      January 23, 2021 at 4:16 am

      I’m so glad you found it helpful.

      Reply

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