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Garden Gate:  Marigolds......uses???  |
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ritagail
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Ritagail
Bartlesville
OK
USA
10 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 29 2010 : 7:19:17 PM
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Hi,
I'm new here and posted in my Welcome Wagon intro about marigolds growing well in my front and back yard.
Think I read somewhere that marigolds are actually an herb (?). Also, ran across, forget now what it was, but, there was actually something about them being good cut flowers if an ingredient was put into the water.
Does anyone know if there are other uses for marigolds?
Thanks.
Ritagail
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2010 : 7:32:04 PM
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I've heard of planting marigolds around your vegetable gardens to keep come kind of critters away, but I'm not sure what kind or if that's even true...
Siobhan, wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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Karrieann
True Blue Farmgirl
1900 Posts
Karrieann
Northeast
Georgia
USA
1900 Posts |
Posted - Jan 29 2010 : 8:02:59 PM
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..did a bit of a research,
quote:
MARIGOLDS: (Calendula): Given a lot of credit as a pest deterrent. Keeps soil free of bad nematodes; supposed to discourage many insects. Plant freely throughout the garden. The marigolds you choose must be a scented variety for them to work. One down side is that marigolds do attract spider mites and slugs.
French Marigold (T. patula) has roots that exude a substance which spreads in their immediate vicinity killing nematodes. For nematode control you want to plant dense areas of them. There have been some studies done that proved this nematode killing effect lasted for several years after the plants were These marigolds also help to deter whiteflies when planted around tomatoes and can be used in greenhouses for the same purpose. Whiteflies hate the smell of marigolds. Do not plant French marigolds next to bean plants.
Mexican marigold (T. minuta) is the most powerful of the insect repelling marigolds and may also overwhelm weed roots such as bind weed! It is said to repel the Mexican bean beetle and wild bunnies! Be careful it can have an herbicidal effect on some plants like beans and cabbage.
then there is this,
quote:
Homeopathic properties: stomach cramps and diarrhea, fever, vomiting, salves, sores
Magical properties: Add marigold to your bath to win the respect and admiration of your peers. String garlands of marigold around the outside doors to stop evil from entering the house.
I can say for fact... slugs LOVE them... and there are bazillion slugs in the Northwest Washington! Them horrid things ate my large head marigolds that my girls got me from Mother's Day years ago. Planted them, next day all was left was the stem. (grumbles)
Karrieann ~ Farmgirl Sister #766 (29 Sept 2009)
My etsy: Yesterday's Scraps, Tomorrow's Treasures http://www.etsy.com/shop/2TomorrowsTreasures |
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ritagail
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Ritagail
Bartlesville
OK
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 7:16:49 PM
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Thanks to both of you for answering.
I knew about the repellant thing, but, I did not know about the slug thing.....that's wild!
Also, I was afraid because of their scent they would repel butterflies, but last year I saw at least some moths or small butterflies on them, and I saw them on a list of flowers to plant for attracting bees.
I never liked marigolds because of their smell, but, when they were the only things that grew well in both front and back, I changed my mind and decided I'd just have to learn to live with the smell!! |
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ritagail
Farmgirl in Training
10 Posts
Ritagail
Bartlesville
OK
USA
10 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 8:39:12 PM
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Ok, I'm kind of glazed over here. I've been looking through all kinds of stuff on marigolds online.
It seems that there are a lot more, is the correct word "sub-species"?, of them than I ever knew. Even some that have a citrus scent.
They can be used for homemade beauty products, remedies, food garnishes, fresh cut flowers, dried flower arrangements, and dyes!
As far as slugs go, Bachman's website says that you can lay down barriers of Diatomaceous earth, "sharp sand" (would that be course sand?), or copper strips....it says slugs will not cross copper.
http://www.bachmans.com/Garden-Care/divHomePage.html?cnb=GardenCare&categoryCode=02&pageIndex=_pageIndexToken_ughslugs
I couldn't find the site that I saw awhile back about what to put in the water to cut down on the strong scent in a cut flower arrangement, but the following site said to use a 1/2 cup sugar to 1 quart water: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/217512/make_cut_flowers_last_longer.html?cat=32
There were too many discussions on drying them. Some said to tie the stems together and hang them upside down to dry. Others said they had to be placed in either borax and cornstarch mixture or silica gel.
And, finally, here is one of the sites on homemade marigold beauty products: http://www.ehow.com/how_2387297_use-marigolds-homemade-beauty-treatments.html
Who knew?
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Betty J.
True Blue Farmgirl
1409 Posts
Betty
Pasco
WA
USA
1409 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2010 : 8:42:45 PM
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Not only do slugs love them but so do earwigs. I caught the little suckers one night when I was out sleuthing with my flashlight. They were all over my plants. Nothing but bare bones come the next morning.
Betty in Pasco |
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5 acre Farmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1007 Posts
~~~*Terri*~~~
WA.
USA
1007 Posts |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4862 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4862 Posts |
Posted - Jan 31 2010 : 7:48:13 PM
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I have found marigolds kept the bug population down really low in my perennial garden. I grow them from seed & they do just great out there. They get so huge that by the end of the summer they look like bushes. I need to buy some seeds now before all the good varieties disappear.
Dawn in IL |
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redbud
True Blue Farmgirl
52 Posts
Christine
Luther
Oklahoma
USA
52 Posts |
Posted - Feb 01 2010 : 4:37:28 PM
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I love marigolds, they are so easy to grow. I didn't know there was so many uses for them though, I've always grown them as they remind me of my dad, he loved them 
to everything there is a season, a time to every purpose under heaven
http://christine-88stitches.blogspot.com |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Feb 02 2010 : 5:48:00 PM
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| Before the freeze I gather seeds out of the brown pods for the next year. It only works a couple seasons, they get smaller each time. I plant them around the porch swing by the pond and the mosquitos dont bother us. |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2010 : 03:30:43 AM
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I think they help keep rabbits out of planted as a border
My folks had marigolds bordering the garden every year
They stink ,but do a dd a pretty splash of color too |
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Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2010 : 12:31:38 PM
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We always plant marigolds around our garden. In addition to the benefits for the garden I just think they look pretty! It always perks me up to go to the garden in the evening and see those happy little flowers.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.' |
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delicia
True Blue Farmgirl
917 Posts
delicia
cincinnati
ohio
USA
917 Posts |
Posted - Feb 04 2010 : 3:48:44 PM
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| I like that they repel some insects but, I have enough problem with slugs as it is. Anyone have a remedy for the slug situation? |
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smiley
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
lea
pea ridge
arkansas
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Feb 07 2010 : 10:08:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by delicia
I like that they repel some insects but, I have enough problem with slugs as it is. Anyone have a remedy for the slug situation?
I dont know if it works but I have to pour a small amount of beer into a shallow bowl and leave it out in the problem area. |
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Garden Gate: Marigolds......uses??? |
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Marigolds......uses???
