Description

Crop of marigolds.
Figure 1. Crop of marigolds.

Family

  • Compositae

Growth habits

Germination

  • Annual

Top growth

  • height growth is cultivar-dependent
  • moderate growth rate
  • stocky plant with lacey leaf growth
  • tough stalks

Root system

  • moderate rate of root growth
  • medium sized root system

Overwintering

  • winterkills

Benefits and concerns

Pest management

  • non-host for nematodes, suppresses nematode populations
  • 2 year control achieved in Ontario
  • needs to be weed free for nematode suppression

Getting started

Establishment

  • seed can be drilled or broadcast
  • plant shallow — 1 cm and pack lightly
  • seed is light and fluffy — will bridge in seed drill tubes. Some success has been had with mixing seed with pre-cooked dry rice to help flow from seed box in drill
  • seed at rate of 1.3 kg/ha
  • does not require mowing

Cost and availability

  • seed is expensive eg more $100 per acre
  • seed can be difficult to source
  • cv Cracker Jack is most common seed available
  • cv Creole will also work