The bugs are bad in my Zone A Florida garden. We are warm and wet early on, and it’s a breeding ground for critters. For years, I’ve pulled my tomatoes off the vine well before their prime and ripened them in paper bags inside the house because I couldn’t bare the thought of those little bastards burrowing into the soft, juicy skin before I got to.
This year is different, and I think I know why: MARIGOLDS.
Companion planting is so genius, and it’s been around for ages. I fully attribute this combination of flowers and veg to my overall success.
What is Companion Planting?
Companion planting is a gardening technique that involves planting different species of plants together to enhance the growth, health, and productivity of the plants. The concept is based on the idea that certain plants can benefit each other by enhancing their natural pest control abilities, improving soil quality, and increasing crop yield.
Companion planting involves planting species that have complementary attributes, such as one plant that repels pests while another attracts beneficial insects. In this case, the critters go straight for the flowers.
It can also involve planting species that work together to improve the soil quality, such as nitrogen-fixing plants that help to enrich the soil with nutrients.
I’ll write another blog about my success with nitrogen fixers in collaboration with my pole bean and sweet potato bed. Stay tuned.
Benefits of Marigolds in the Garden
Marigolds and tomatoes are best buds because Marigolds are known to have a strong scent that can repel many pests, including nematodes, whiteflies, and aphids, while also attracting beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees. Tomatoes, on the other hand, are susceptible to many of these same pests, so planting marigolds nearby can help to protect them.
I also attribute my jam-packed Marigold beds to the wonderful growth of my apple tree, which is normally swarming with aphids.
Marigolds are more than just pest control; they can also help to improve the soil quality around tomato plants. They have a deep root system that can help to aerate the soil and improve drainage, while also adding organic matter as they decompose.
This year I grew 95% of my garden from seed, including the Marigolds, because our budget was stretched thin. I often purchase starts in the early Spring, but we’d implemented a moratorium on spending, so I used dried Marigold seeds I’d collected from my Mother’s garden last year.
Deadheading is also super important. When the Marigold flowers start to dry up, I pinch them off and feed them to the Berry Chickens. Feeding Marigold flowers to my hens helps to improve the color and quality of their eggs. This is because the carotenoids in the flowers can be transferred to the yolk of the egg, resulting in a more vibrant color. Our egg production is off the charts this season, and I chalk it up to a healthy diet of garden scraps and my egg upcycling technique.
How to Companion Plant Marigolds and Tomatoes.
To plant marigolds and tomatoes together, it is best to interplant them in the same bed or container. For example, you can plant marigolds in a ring around the base of your tomato plants, or you can intersperse them throughout your tomato bed. You can also plant marigolds in separate pots and place them near your tomato plants.
As you can see in the reel, I planted them EVERYWHERE. When the Winter Brassicas started to fade out, I popped in another Marigold plant.
Besides being an excellent partner for my tomato plants, they’re also a beautiful pop of color.
For more Gardening Tips and Tricks, follow along at:
