Should You Soak Marigold Seeds Before Planting?
Marigolds are a beloved annual flower known for their brightly colored pom-pom blooms in shades of yellow, orange, red and white. These hardy flowers have a place in most gardens since they repel pests, attract pollinators, and add cheer wherever they grow.
Marigolds are also quite easy to grow from seed. But when starting seeds, many gardeners wonder if they should soak marigold seeds first for better germination. Let’s explore the pros and cons of soaking seeds to help you decide.
An Overview of Soaking Marigold Seeds
Pre-soaking seeds before planting is called “priming.” This process typically involves soaking seeds in water for a period of time before sowing them.
Some of the proposed benefits of seed soaking include:
- Speeding up germination time
- Increasing total germination rate
- Encouraging stronger, healthier seedlings
However soaking can also have downsides if not done properly:
- Seeds may rot if soaked too long
- Seeds can crack or sustain other damage
- Overhydrated seeds may not store well after soaking
So whether priming marigold seeds is helpful or not depends on several factors. Let’s analyze these in more detail.
Reasons to Soak Marigold Seeds Before Planting
Here are some of the main advantages of priming marigold seeds by pre-soaking:
Accelerates Germination
Many sources report marigold seeds germinate 1-2 weeks sooner when soaked before planting This is useful for getting a head start on the growing season.
Improves Germination Rates
If you soak the seeds the right way, they often germinate more than dry-seeded marigolds. So you may get more seedlings from soaked seeds.
Produces Stronger Seedlings
Soaked seeds often sprout more vigorously, with more robust root growth and hardier shoots. This gives them an advantage, especially when started indoors.
Reduces Irrigation Needs
For the first one to two weeks after planting, pre-soaked seeds need less water because they already have extra water in them.
If you want marigolds to germinate faster and more efficiently, pre-soaking seeds can help make that happen.
Reasons to Avoid Soaking Marigold Seeds
However, there are also some good reasons you may NOT want to soak marigold seeds before planting:
Seeds May Rot if Soaked Too Long
Marigold seeds soaked more than a few hours can imbibe too much water and begin to rot before they ever have a chance to sprout.
Causes Seed Damage
Too much water can damage the structure of seeds and make them crack. Handling swollen seeds may also cause unintended harm.
Reduces Seed Longevity
Soaked seeds don’t store as well. Because they contain more water, they are more likely to mold and rot while being stored.
Not Needed for Marigolds
Since marigolds germinate quickly and easily anyway, soaking provides limited benefits for this flower.
Extra Time and Effort
Having to remember to pre-soak seeds takes more planning and work compared to simply direct sowing them.
For many seeds, soaking may cause more harm than good if not done with care.
Best Practices for Soaking Marigold Seeds
If you do wish to pre-soak marigold seeds, follow these tips:
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Only soak seeds 2-4 hours before planting. Longer increases rotting risk.
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Use room temperature water rather than cold water to avoid shocking seeds.
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Gently pour off any excess water before planting soaked seeds.
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Handle swollen seeds delicately to avoid damaging the seed coat.
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Sow soaked seeds immediately – do not store them after soaking.
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Provide optimal moisture and warmth after sowing soaked seeds.
Following best practices reduces risks and helps ensure you see the benefits of seed soaking.
When to Direct Sow Marigold Seeds
In many cases, simply direct sowing marigold seeds is the easiest approach:
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Outdoors After Frosts: Sow seeds directly in the ground after the last spring frost once soil has warmed.
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In Warm Microclimates: In frost-free regions, sow outdoors anytime temperatures are warm.
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Indoors 6-8 Weeks Before Transplanting: Sow indoors loosely in trays, then transplant seedlings outside after hardening off.
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In Moist Soil: Ensure seeds have consistent moisture to sprout since they are prone to drying out.
With proper care, marigolds germinate quickly from direct sown dry seeds making soaking optional.
So Should You Soak Marigold Seeds or Not?
Based on the pros and cons, soaking marigold seeds is generally not needed. But it may provide some benefits in certain situations:
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Soak When Starting Indoors: The confined indoor environment makes strong, quick germination more critical.
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Soak to Get a Head Start Outdoors: If you need marigolds to mature as fast as possible, soaking gives a 1-2 week jump start.
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Soak When Growing Less Common Varieties: Boosting germination rates helps when seeds are rare or expensive.
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Don’t Soak When Direct Sowing Outdoors: Seeds sown into garden beds don’t need a germination boost.
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Don’t Soak for Long Term Storage: Only soak seeds about to be immediately planted.
While marigold seed soaking isn’t mandatory, strategic priming in certain conditions can provide advantages. Just use caution not to overdo it!
But whenever possible, choose the simplest path of direct sowing unsoaked seeds into a carefully prepared seedbed. This avoids fussy extra steps while still producing vigorous seedlings.
With their colorful pom-pom blossoms and pest repelling properties, marigolds have earned their reputation as a garden staple. Aim for success by providing warm soil, consistent moisture, and sunny conditions. Then let the marigold magic happen!
How to grow marigolds from seed
Marigolds are a garden staple, known for their bright flowers and pest repelling qualities. They make excellent companion plants for tomatoes and are available in every garden nursery. Its easy to grow marigolds from seed and they often come back every year, since theyre pretty good at self seeding!.
I have been growing marigolds for many years. They are one of the flowers I wrote about in 8 flowers the you need in your garden. Many gardeners grow them for their color. Their bright orange and yellow blooms attract lots of pollinators like butterflies. Since your vegetables need pollinators, its a good idea to welcome them to the garden!.
Many gardeners plant marigolds near tomatoes to repel nematodes and other pests on the nearby plants. Marigolds themselves get very few pests except for the occasional mite or aphid. Its believed that the pungent scent of the marigolds discourages many pests from visiting the garden.
Theyre said to deter both rabbits and deer, though unfortunately, they do nothing for chipmunks and other rodents. Marigolds can grow thick enough to create a garden barrier, so if you need to keep rabbits out, plant them near any gaps in your fence line.
Marigold is the common name for over 50 species of flowering plants in the Tagetes family. They were native to the Americas, but have been naturalized throughout the world. Various species are grown for their medicinal properties, culinary use, decoration and even pest repellant in the garden.
Marigolds are grassy plants in the sunflower family that usually only bloom once a year in the US. However, perennial marigolds do exist and are becoming more popular. They have green pinnate (feather like) leaves and grow anywhere from just a few inches tall, to a few feet tall!.
The flowers of the marigold tend to look a bit like carnations. They vary in size though they generally all have ray florets and disc florets. They have fibrous roots and grow well in almost any type of soil. Marigolds prefer full sun.
The most common colors are yellow or orange with maroon colored accents, though there are several other colors.
When Do You Start Fertilizing Marigold Seeds?
Once seeds germinate, their first set of leaves are their “baby” leaves. These baby leaves are called cotyledons. At this stage, all the nutrients for the seedling is still coming from what was available in the seed.
As the seedling continues to grow, the second set of leaves appear. These are the “true” leaves. When you look closely, you can see that these true leaves even look like the adult marigold leaves.
This is when it is time to start fertilizing your seedlings with a soluble fertilizer. Fish fertilizer does work, but beware that it will make your basement and house smell like fish poop. My dogs love it, but it is too strong for everyone else! Espoma soluble fertilizers are organic like fish fertilizer, but they don’t have the strong stench.
The Right Way to Plant Marigold Seeds
FAQ
How long should you soak marigold seeds before planting?
Marigold seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing. Marigold seeds can be sown directly into the garden OR seedlings can be raised in trays or other containers and transplanted to the garden once established.
Can you just scatter marigold seeds?
- Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil and remove any rocks or debris, making it well-draining.
- Scatter the seeds: Evenly distribute the seeds over the surface of the prepared soil.
- Lightly cover: Use a fine layer of soil or compost to cover the seeds, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
- Moisten the soil: Keep the area moist until the seeds germinate.
- Thin seedlings: Once seedlings emerge, thin them out to provide space for growth.
Which side of marigold seed goes down?
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The Sprucehttps://www.thespruce.comHow to Properly Plant Marigold Seeds for Spring – The SpruceJun 1, 2023 — Which side of marigold seed goes down? Place the seeds on the soil horizontally, which is mimicking the way the seeds naturally fall out of the seed …
What seeds should not be soaked before planting?
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Small seeds:Carrot, lettuce, radish, and spinach seeds are small and prone to clumping when soaked, making them hard to sow correctly.
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Quick germinators:Spinach, for example, germinates quickly without soaking, and pre-soaking can actually make the process more difficult.
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Specific plants:Zucchini seeds are best sown directly in the garden without any pretreatment.
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Hybrids:Many hybrid varieties have been bred to not require soaking.
Can you plant marigold seeds without soaking?
However, marigolds are fast sprouters without (under a week usually). Given the ease of germination for marigolds and the risk of over-hydration, most gardeners skip soaking marigold seeds. Sowing them directly into moist soil and keeping it consistently damp is sufficient. How many marigold seeds can you plant together?.
How deep do you plant marigold seeds?
Marigold seeds need light to germinate, so no more than 1/4 inch deep. Water the soil thoroughly a day before planting to moisten it. The top few inches should be moist but not saturated. Spread the seeds out flat on the ground or dig shallow holes 6 to 12 inches apart that are no more than 1/4 inch deep.
When should you plant marigold seeds?
For instance, in USDA hardiness zones one through seven, you can sow the marigold seeds directly into the ground in late May or early June, whereas in zones eight through eleven, you can plant them as early as March or April. It is always a good idea to consult a gardening guide or your local extension office to know the best time for your area.
Does soaking marigold seeds speed up germination?
Soaking marigold seeds does have the potential to speed up germination. However, marigolds are fast sprouters without (under a week usually). Given the ease of germination for marigolds and the risk of over-hydration, most gardeners skip soaking marigold seeds. Sowing them directly into moist soil and keeping it consistently damp is sufficient.
How do you care for a marigold plant?
Marigolds love full sun exposure. Mix in compost or fertilizer to ensure nutrient-rich soil. Water newly planted seeds daily to keep the soil consistently moist. Cover outdoor plantings with floating row cover to protect from heavy rains that can displace seeds. Marigolds germinate best at warm soil temperatures above 70°F.
How do you plant a marigold plant?
To plant, make a small hole or furrow with your finger or a gardening tool, place the seed, and gently cover it with soil. Proper spacing is essential for the healthy growth of marigolds. Planting seeds about 8 inches apart allows each plant enough space to grow without competition for nutrients, water, and sunlight.