I don't throw out marigolds, but use them wisely in the garden. I use 2 simple tricks every fall
Fiery fireworks, fellow gardeners!
Do you want to use marigold bushes to the advantage? Then do not rush to send autumn plants to the trash heap. After reading the article to the end, you will learn about 2 of my ways to use them wisely, seemingly useless plant residues.
Marigold (also known by its Latin name as "Tagetes") is an exceptional garden plant. With almost no maintenance, flowers grow anytime, anywhere. They decorate flower beds and gardens with fiery balls until deep frost.
Previously, with a slight sadness, I cleaned the tags after the onset of cold weather. Such wealth! And bright flowers, and powerful stems with rich foliage, and buds that did not have time to open... But now I have no regrets: the marigold bushes will still come in handy in the garden.
I am not going to write about such a simple way of putting flowers in compost right now. There is more. I make the most of the beneficial properties of marigolds - for the whole garden and, specifically, winter garlic.
Trick number 1: We adopt the beneficial properties of marigolds, given to them by nature
Everyone must have noticed a pungent smell enveloping the flower beds with tagetes. This is vivid evidence of the high content of essential oils in marigolds. Some growers like a peculiar aroma, others try to admire the beauty of a flower from afar. Many garden pests agree with the latter. For example, the dangerous root nematode.
Marigolds are planted between the rows of cabbage, not only for aesthetic purposes. Flowers not only paint the beds, but also scare away pests with their smell.
If earth parasites were seen in the garden, then in the fall the marigolds come to the rescue. During the autumn digging of the garden, the tagetes are buried deep into the soil. Whole plants can be used: roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seed baskets. Gradually rotting in the soil, they will emit "aromatic" substances and scare away pests.
Trick # 1: Marigolds guard the tranquility of winter garlic and perennial flowers
The fluffy stems of marigolds are excellent option for sheltering garlicplanted before the winter, and perennial flowers:
- The plant will scare away pests;
- Phytoncides contained in tagetes fight against fungal diseases, and will become an excellent prophylactic agent;
- The stems themselves are an ideal covering material. Being fluffy, covered with leaves, marigolds will trap snow and create a whole cushion of snow. A snowdrift will reliably protect garlic and perennial crops from freezing.
So marigolds are not only beautiful!