African Crackerjack Marigold

Traditional multi petal marigold in bright golds and oranges. These are large plants that can reach up to 4 feet with 4 inch blooms so give them room. African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) tend to favor warmer weather better than French marigolds so I like to plant this with my spring and summer garden plants. While the flowers are beautiful and technically medicinal or edible most gardeners plant this as a known companion plant. "Plant it next to your tomatoes for improved yields". But that's not the whole story. Marigolds need to be planted PRIOR to the tomato to receive the benefits because most of the chemical compound that helps repel Root Knot Nematodes is concentrated in the leaves. Use marigolds as a chop and drop to layer in and on the soil prior to planting RNK sensitive plants.

Packet: ~145 seeds

Good to start from seed in these months:

North Florida: April-July 

Central Florida: March-August

South Florida: January-December