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How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Marigold Flowers
The flowers of Tagetes marigolds are NOT edible, but those of Calendula are. The bright petals of Calendula add color and a spicy tang to salads and other summer dishes.
- The flower petals are sometimes cooked with rice to impart saffron’s color (but, unfortunately, not flavor).
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How much water does this plant need? How many times a day/week does it need water?
Keep the seeds moist—not soaked—until they become established. Then water as needed, a couple or few times per week, contingent on rain (or lack of it).
I love Marigolds, but wanted to make sure they were safe, I have two toy poodles who nibble on my plants.
Marigolds, at least for humans, are really good for the digestive track and actually pretty healthy and safe to eat. Though I cannot say for certain, I would bet that your dog might just be nibbling on the plants to calm her stomach--the same reason why some dogs can be observed eating grasses from the lawn.
My marigolds are being eaten by snails! What to do? I have a dog and cannot use poison. I have also tried beer, but alas it rains frequently here in Florida. Appreciate any suggestions.
I keep my egg shells, bake them and crush them up. I either feed them to my chickens (helps strengthen their new eggs) or generously sprinkle them around any plants that snails or slugs eat. For these little creatures, it's the equivalent of walking on broken glass.
For slugs, we have long recommended the beer trap: Pour cheap beer into a shallow saucer or jar lid (use a few if the problem is severe). In the area where the slugs are abundant, set the container into the ground at lip level (so a bit buried; note that it might be easier to pour the beer in once the container is set, not before). Come back the next day. You should find that slugs have drowned in the beer. Discard them and the liquid. Repeat.
Some sources this is equally effective on snails. It certainly is cheap.
Be aware, too, though that other sources suggest that marigolds a slug/snail magnets. You might develop a new favorite flower …
I read once that salt can work to kill and detour snails, slugs & frogs. It's sad, but it apparently burns & dehydrates their skin once they come in contact with it and if there isnt any standing water around for them to retreat back to it kills them.
Because my neighbor who has a marygold before was died and she said because we live in a desert so they won't survive. Which is I can't understand. Thank you so much for the advice. I Really appreciate it. I will do what you said to help them survive.
I got African Marygolds in Home depot for about 3 weeks now they were in a container and I transferred them in a big pot and I deadheaded them today. My only question is since I got them during spring season and I am new in Southwest NV my neighbor has been told me that they will die. Is this true? Looking forward for your response. Thanks.