Marigolds and Tomatoes
So many great ways to use marigolds with tomato plants! They could be interplanted in the raised bed or hanging basket. They could form an impenetrable border around the tomato patch. Smaller varieties might be planted closer to the tomato plants, while larger marigolds could be planted slightly farther away.
Plant an impenetrable border of marigolds around your tomato plants.
RELATED READING: Everything you need to know about feeding tomatoes in one place
Types of Marigolds
There are over 50 marigold (Tagetes) species. The three most popular for use in the garden are African marigold (T. erectus), French marigold (T. patula), and Signet marigold (T. tenuifolia).
Pot marigolds are wonderful in the garden but are Calendula (Calendula officinalis) plants.
They don’t hold all the same beneficial attributes in the garden, although they do have many fantastic benefits too.
African marigolds are the tallest. They might be planted surrounding the tomato patch. These tough plants grow 1 to 3 feet (30 to 120 cm) tall with large double flowers in hot shades of yellows, oranges, reds, and whites.
French marigolds are more compact with fern-like foliage. They love the heat, have a long bloom time, and grow 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) tall and wide. Their blooms are double and also come in warm colors of oranges, yellows, reds, and whites.
Signet marigolds make small single flowers that bloom profusely and abundantly in fragrant mounds on plants of lacy foliage 12 inches (30 cm) tall and wide. Lemon gem and tangerine gem are excellent examples which are citrusy smelling heirlooms.
Which Marigolds Are Best For Tomatoes?
Each and every marigold plant in the tomato garden will have its benefits. If you are facing a particular problem, try:
Deer deterrent: African marigold.
Root knot nematode: French marigold.
Attract bees and beneficial insects: Signet marigold.
Deter tomato worms and caterpillars: All of the above.
Mix and match a variety of marigolds to see which ones you like best. See what works well to prevent potential tomato problems.
Quick Tip: In general, Signet marigolds do great without deadheading, where African and French marigolds bloom more with deadheading.
RELATED READING: 8 Effective Tips to Fertilize Tomatoes and Boost Your Harvest
How to Grow Marigolds
Marigolds are an easy to grow frost-tender annual flower. Plants can be started indoors 4 weeks before the last frost date or by direct seeding in the garden after the last fear of frost has passed. They begin to bloom about 10 weeks later.
You can purchase many varieties of marigold seeds from here at True Leaf Market.
African, French, and Signet marigolds are a popular bedding plant so you can save yourself the trouble and buy transplants perfectly ready to plant near your tomatoes.
