Companion Planting
see adding some marigolds to your tomato garden this time of year ? Wondering if it ’s even a in force idea , and what benefits there are ? In this clause , gardening expert Natalie Leiker walk through if planting marigolds with tomatoes is a good estimation , and how to do it properly if you decide to plant them together !
Marigolds are a very democratic bloom and are often sought after because of theirlow upkeep and heat - loving characteristics . They also offer up some good gadget characteristic when planted with other garden grown plants . But will they offer any benefit beingcompanion planted with your garden tomatoes ? Are these two even compatible ?
Marigoldsare bright , sunlight - loving , hotness resistant flowers . Theirbenefits of being a fellow plantare long documented as proved science . They are most popularly added by vegetable gardener into raised bed in decree to dissemble as a pest repellent .
Most of us have seen marigold seeds or transplant at our local nursery or garden centers throughout the grow season . These blue maintenance , vivid flowers sound like a cracking gain to a full sun veg garden . So should you buy some to plantnext to the tomatoes you are growingin your veg garden ? permit ’s find out !
Contents
The Short Answer
The myopic answer is yes , marigolds can be planted with tomato . They both grow well in full sun , have similar watering demand , and are heat tolerant . If planted in a space where both plant have enough elbow room to thrive , tomatoes and marigolds make great companions . Marigolds can also offer science plump for benefits of helping to repulse certain tomato pests .
About Marigolds
Marigolds are annual flowersthat are very popular amongst dwelling gardener . The most unwashed type of marigold are Gallic and African marigold . They arise in USDA zone 3 – 11 . They grow best in warm climate and prefer full sun ( 6 – 8 hr sunlight daily ) .
The flowers lay out invivid tincture of yellow , to orange , and red . Adding this dada of colouring material is just one of many understanding so many the great unwashed plant marigolds in their garden and landscape .
There are two types of marigolds we commonly see : Gallic and African marigold
French marigolds aremore promptly availablethan African marigolds . They blossom in shade of orangish , yellow , and ruby and have a small , sizeable growing habit , which make them a perfect plant to add to any landscape painting or garden border .
African marigolds havespherical ruffled flowersthat are generally bombastic than that of the French marigold . These flowers are usually orangish or jaundiced . The African marigold tends to grow a little taller than the Gallic marigold and has a shorter blooming period .
While marigolds are very attractive with their vividly dramatic blooms , they have many more cocksure attributes . They are heat and drouth resistant , attract pollinator , and can even deter harmful insects and pests from your garden .
The Long Answer: Marigolds and Tomatoes
Marigolds and tomatoes make great fellow plantsfor many reasons . The two plants have almost identical grow necessity : full sun , warmth patient of , and do best in well - draining productive territory . But these are just a few reasons these two go great together .
When institute together , they actually have a symbiotic relationship . This means that not only will these plant outlive together , they willbenefitfrom each other .
Planting Them Together
marigold and tomato are both full sun plants , this means that you must plant in a locating that receives6 – 8 60 minutes of sunlight daily .
If you are planting the marigolds around or in between your already love apple plants , set them 10 – 12 inches forth from the tomato plants . This will ensure they both have enough room to grow , but close up enough for the love apple to reap all the benefit of the marigold plant .
Marigolds form groovy as border plants and can play as a roadblock to your vegetable garden . If you are recall ofusing marigold as a borderaround your Lycopersicon esculentum and other vegetable plant life , space is central . Plant the marigold edge 10 - 12 column inch away from the veg / tomato plants . Space the marigold 10 – 12 inches aside as well .
Planting Together in Containers
Container gardening is very popular amongst many menage nurseryman . Thinking of adding marigolds to a pot , container , or small raise bed near your tomato ?
The same spacing dominion applies . Make indisputable you give your tomato plants enough elbow room to grow – acontainer for a tomato plantmust be at least 5 gallons .
This means that if you would wish to add marigolds in the same container , it would ask to be larger than 5 gal , and wide enough to space your love apple and marigold 12 column inch asunder .
An option to place them in the same container would be to simply have each plant in a separate container , but set them near each other . This would allow the tomato plant to still gain from the marigold , but allow them enough room to grow .
Marigold Alternatives
If you ’re looking to tot color or grain to your garden , but you want something other than marigold , there ’s plenty of options out there ! While these alternatives may not cater the precise same welfare to your tomato plant that Marigolds do , they do offer some symbiotic welfare when institute together .
Calendula
Calendula , also make love asscotch or pot marigold , is a full sun , heat resistant , vivid flush . It grows around 8 – 10 in tall with a similar shape and size to that of a French or African marigold . Calendula make a dandy addition to any vegetable garden or container and is recognise for its medicinal purposes .
Alyssum
Alyssum , often refer to as sweet madwort , is a compact grow industrial plant that blooms in shades of royal and white . These lowly clusters of flowersattract many pollinatorsand have a sweet , flowered smell , hence the nickname angelic alyssum .
Zinnias
There areso many varieties of zinnias . They straddle anywhere from 8 inch to 36 inch in tiptop depending on the variety . you’re able to also get hold zinnias in almost every color you’re able to think of – royal , pinkish , red-faced , yellow , orange , the tilt go on . Thisheat bed drought tolerant annualwill bloom all season and pull a wide variety of pollinator .
Nasturtium
There are a few types of genus Nasturtium , all sort bloom in warm colour such as atomic number 79 , orangish , and red . Nasturtium doesgreat in warm climates and will tot a pinch of color to your garden throughout the time of year .
Its growing substance abuse is fairly succinct , however , if you allow it to reseed in your garden , it will begin to spread . Nasturtiummakes a great additionto any full sun vegetable garden and suits the composition as the entire genus Nasturtium plant is edible !
Anise Hyssop
There are many varieties and colors of hyssop useable . This industrial plant loves the warmer weather condition and will bloom all season . Hyssop is a very fragrant plant life and will attract all kind of pollinators . It even possesses medicinal qualities .
Ageratum
mist-flower is a sun - loving , heat liberal annual that can add a unequaled grain to your borders or garden . It blooms in small blurry clump that bees ca n’t resist . While it is only found in shades of disconsolate and whitened , this plant is not to be overlooked . It isvery low maintenanceand can be a peachy gain to a full sun vegetable garden .
Frequently Asked Questions
While both the French and African marigold are compatible plants with tomatoes , it is said that French marigolds tend to have a stronger plague repellent effect . There are slightly different maintenance requirements for French Marigolds , so verify you realise the difference between marigold types .
It is said that cervid and rabbit will not crunch on marigold , however this does not entail marigolds will bar them from finding their way to your tomato . While it can be a muscular dirt ball repellent , it ’s not a know coney or deer deterrent .
Final Thoughts
Marigolds and tomatoes can be planted together , and you and your plants could benefit from it ! marigold have many beneficial characteristics for the garden and can even aid beat back insects and other pests from harming your tomato plants . So , next prison term you are at your local garden gist , do n’t waver to grab a few of these pop plants , and stick them correctly next to the veggies in your garden !
