Marigold

Sow seed indoors in March or April at 18-21 degrees Celsius. Seeds germinate quickly, within 5-7 days. Pot on seedlings and harden off before planting out after the last frost in late May. Space plants 20-25 cm apart in a sunny position. Marigolds are not fussy about soil but perform best in well-drained ground. Water regularly during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers frequently to keep plants blooming continuously. Feed container-grown plants fortnightly with a balanced liquid fertiliser. French marigolds are outstanding companion plants — their root secretions suppress nematodes in the soil, and their scent confuses whitefly seeking tomato plants. Plant them alongside tomatoes, courgettes, and peppers in the greenhouse and vegetable garden. Save seed from open-pollinated varieties for the following year.

Deadhead regularly by snapping off faded flowers with their stalks. Pinch out the central growing tip of young plants to encourage branching. No other pruning needed.