Listen to our radio show: SEEDS AND THEIR PEOPLE!
Orange Fire Marigolds
Tagetes spp.
Showy, fiery marigolds bloom early and prolifically on short plants with a great mounding habit: two feet tall and two feet wide. Bring a great pop of color to your landscape from early summer until frost! Expect some variation in flower color and shape.
Days to maturity: 30-45
Seeds per pack: 90-100
Germination rate: 66% on 09/23/2021
Planting / harvesting notes
Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Sow every 2-4", 1/8-1/4" deep, and thin to 12-24" per plant. Water regularly until germination. Our past experience shows that germination can be spotty in the soil. We oversow and then move thinnings to other parts of the garden. This plant is resistant to deer, groundhogs, and insect pests, so can be grown as a perimeter plant outside of your fences.
Seed keeping notes
Wait until the flowers start to dry out and until you can hear the seeds shaking in their seedheads. At this point, take individual seed pods or cut entire branches and whack in a bucket allowing the seeds to fall. Sift through strainers and use wind, breath, or fans to clean off smaller chaff.
