Marigold, Lemon Gem

Tagetes tenuifolia. Annual. 8"-10".

Lemon Gem Marigold tiny yellow blooms over the entire plant. Finely laced foliage; small flowers. Brush your hand over the plant to release a slight lemony scent. Ideal for planter boxes or edging. Free flowering over the entire summer and fall.

The flower petals of marigolds are edible but the flavor seems to be quite pungent. Marigolds are easy to grow with little care or water. Marigolds are toxic to Root Knot Nematodes. When the flowers go down in late fall, work into your garden distributing the roots through as much as the garden as possible to discourage the nematodes. 

Planting Directions:  Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or outdoors start sowing 2 weeks before the last frost. Plant seed in sterile seed starting mix or vermiculite and  just barely cover the seed with fine starting medium. Maintain 70° to 80° in the starting medium, germination takes 4 to 14 days at optimum temperatures. Marigolds are somewhat susceptible to damping-off: sow in vermiculite and water only from below as a precaution.  Transplant or thin to 15-18” apart in full sun. Soil should be of moderate fertility. Water regularly. Marigolds  bloom continuously all summer until arrival of frost if flowers are picked frequently.