We grow unpretentious marigolds in our garden

These bright flowers of warm shades are very popular with summer residents, they are beautiful, unpretentious, bloom until the first frost and benefit the garden. The plant has a strong spicy aroma, and the marigolds smell like leaves, not flowers. Marigolds came to us from America, where they grow in the wild. In the 17th century, the Spaniards brought them to Europe, and they came to our country around the 18th century. Marigolds belong to the Aster family and have about 50 species. Depending on the variety, the bushes grow from 20 to 120 cm.And the benefits of marigolds are recognized by many experts.

Agrotechnics

The seeds can be sown in the ground when the frost stops. But the earlier you plant marigolds, the earlier they will bloom, so many people prefer to grow them in seedlings, especially since the flowers tolerate further transplantation into open ground very well. They are planted for seedlings in early March, seedlings appear in 6-8 days, and by the end of spring your marigolds will bloom with might and main. Seedling care consists in watering, and after the average daily temperature outside stops dropping below 0, you can plant seedlings. Marigolds are practically flawless - their only drawback is that they do not tolerate frost at all, dying at a temperature of -1, -2C.
You can plant seedlings anywhere. In the sun, marigolds will bloom especially strongly, but they will survive in the shade. They will do just fine without top dressing, it is enough to water and periodically loosen the soil. Do not forget to remove faded inflorescences, thereby prolonging lush flowering. These flowers stand for a long time in the cut, and in the fall you can transplant the most beautiful bush into a pot and take it from the dacha to the city, as a memory of summer.

Garden defenders - the use of marigolds

A lot is known about the beneficial properties of the plant. Every experienced gardener knows that marigolds are the first protector of vegetable crops from pests. The specific odor emitted by the leaves is also emitted by the roots. This protects both marigolds and neighboring plants from fungal diseases (even dangerous Fusarium) and insects. Increasingly, you can see marigolds not only in flower beds, but also in the garden, they protect strawberries from weevils, onions from onion flies, potatoes from nematodes, drive away the bear, cabbage whites and aphids with their smell. Even the merciless and capable of adapting to any poison, the Colorado potato beetle dislikes them! But it is not recommended to plant marigolds next to legumes, flowers have a negative effect on them.
After flowering, collect the marigold bushes, chop them and distribute them over the garden. This will sanitize the soil and prepare it for the next season. And you can also bury the bushes of frost-bitten marigolds in the compost heap, then no insects will definitely start in it.

The benefits of marigolds in medicine

Marigolds are widely used in folk medicine. Their healing properties can help with inflammation of the pancreas, they reduce the risk of developing cataracts. An infusion made from dried flowers is used to treat bronchitis, colds and stomatitis. With depression, stress and neurosis, it is recommended to take baths, in which a decoction of marigolds is added, as it normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and eliminates anxiety.

Summing up, we can say with confidence that marigolds are not only a beautiful plant, but also equally useful both for the garden-garden and for its owner.