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Thanks for all the feedback everyone, very helpful. I was also concerned the French marigolds might be a bit small, but the planting beds themselves are not very huge. The American marigolds are larger, but at least locally seem to be only available in solid colors. My wife likes the varied color of the French marigolds.
I like the idea of zig zagging as well, and if I was planting 2 or more rows in parallel I might try that (where the second row is offset from the first), but in these beds there might only be room for one row. Are you suggesting zig zagging that single row?
I think the recommendation on these is to plant them 5-6inches apart, but that can leave things looking a bit sparse, so I am curious if these plants will expand.
The single biggest landscaping mistake I have seen that is common to people planting plants, shrubs or trees is planting too many too close together. Tina did a whole thread on that.
Motifone There are quite a few varieties of French Marigolds being sold. As a rule of thumb for an unknown variety a gardener can assume that they can get as big as 12 inches tall by 12 inches wide. This is why the tag can be your best guide. Depending on the variety they can get as big as 18 inches tall and 15 inches in diameter and they can be as small as 6 inches high and 6 inches wide if planted in perfect conditions. If the tag recommends them 5-6 inches apart you can assume they will be more like the latter and you should plant them about that distance from each other. By August they will have reached their maximum size and depending on weather conditions should keep flowering for quite a while longer. For most gardeners it is limited to when the first frosts arrive but in California, if you are in an area without frost, I am not sure if they eventually peter out or continue. Bulldogdad should know if he sees this.
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I randomly threw a Marigold seed packet last spring in a flowerbed and they came up huge. Fast forward to this spring, I started getting little seedlings all over and the interesting thing is, is the seed packet said they were annuals. It was a nice surprise.
Txtoal the definition of annual is that it generally lives for one year and dies in its native habitat. Seedlings are the new generation from seeds that it left behind and they too will only live this year. There are exceptions where an annual will survive a mild winter and grow a second year. I have several begonias that are now 3 years old for that very reason, even though they, too, are "annuals." Enjoy the happy surprise! Perennials are plants that are expected to come back year after year from roots or other underground parts, or that stay evergreen over winter.
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Planted Marigolds in mid May. I think I see some sprouting out of the ground but nothing tall or blooming yet. Give it more time?
quiet life I think you are expecting a miracle. Generally the earliest you can see a bloom on most of the marigolds planted from seed is about 7-8 weeks after they have been seeded. Usually this is stated somewhere on the packet, along with the approximate correct seeding time for when your area has its last average frost date. Most people who start their garden from seeds count backwards from this expected frost date to start their seedlings indoors and have them large enough to transplant and begin blooming when the weather is warm enough.
quiet life I think you are expecting a miracle. Generally the earliest you can see a bloom on most of the marigolds planted from seed is about 7-8 weeks after they have been seeded. Usually this is stated somewhere on the packet, along with the approximate correct seeding time for when your area has its last average frost date. Most people who start their garden from seeds count backwards from this expected frost date to start their seedlings indoors and have them large enough to transplant and begin blooming when the weather is warm enough.
Well, divine intervention would have been nice Last frost was over 3 weeks ago and we have been getting plenty rain in northeast PA lately. Was hoping for an early bloom. Yes, I know. Wishful thinking. I'll practice patience from now on. I believe they are on track because I see some sprouts. Looking forward to some blooms in July
Well, divine intervention would have been nice Last frost was over 3 weeks ago and we have been getting plenty rain in northeast PA lately. Was hoping for an early bloom. Yes, I know. Wishful thinking. I'll practice patience from now on. I believe they are on track because I see some sprouts. Looking forward to some blooms in July
Well July is here and behold my Marigolds. Not bad
When I used to buy annuals, I always pinched out the center growth. This is hard to do for many people, especially if it means pinching out a flower or a bud. But this ensures a busy, more robust plant. Some plants get so leggy in the nursery if they aren't given enough light so this is an essential step.
Are you saying they are bunched too close together? I could dig out and plant them somewhere else?
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