Marigold, Tangerine Gem

Tagetes tenuifolia. Annual. 8"-10".

Tangerine Gem Marigold , dwarf marigold covered with orange blooms. Finely laced foliage; small flowers. Ideal for planter boxes or edging. Free flowering over entire the  summer and fall.

The flower petals of marigolds are edible but the flavor can 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.