Saving marigold seeds is an easy and fun way to grow your favorite flowers again next year. With just a few steps, you can collect seeds from your garden to plant, share, or save for later.
Why I Love Marigolds
Before I dive into why I love marigolds, I have to admit—I used to really dislike them. I thought they were too simple and a bit tacky. I didn’t see the beauty in their golden glow, but that has definitely changed over time.
Now, I prefer them over mums, and they’ve become my favorite flower to use as decor when transitioning into fall.
Below are some other reasons why I love to plant marigolds in the garden:
- Pest repellent: Marigolds naturally repel garden pests like aphids, nematodes, and mosquitoes, making them a great flower to plant in your vegetable garden.
- Easy to grow: They’re low-maintenance and can thrive in a variety of soils and conditions, making them perfect if you are a beginner gardener or if you are too busy to fuss with high maintenance flowers.
- Long blooming period: Marigolds bloom for months, providing vibrant color throughout the growing season.
- Attract pollinators: Their bright blooms attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which help pollinate your garden.
- Drought tolerant: Marigolds are hardy plants that can tolerate dry conditions, making them ideal for gardens that don’t get a lot of water.
- Improves soil health: Marigolds can help suppress nematodes (soil-dwelling pests) and improve the overall health of your garden soil.
Why Save Marigold Seeds
I save seeds from as many of our plants as possible but if I had to narrow it down as to why I would suggest saving marigold seeds it would be:
Someone might want to save marigold seeds for a few reasons:
- Cost savings: By saving seeds from your marigolds, you can grow new plants the following year without having to buy new seeds or plants, which can save money.
- Consistent results: If you love the marigolds you grew this year, saving seeds ensures you’ll have the same beautiful flowers in the future, as they’ll grow true to the parent plant.
- Sharing with others: Saving marigold seeds allows you to share them with friends and family, spreading the beauty and benefits of the flowers.
When to Harvest Marigold Seeds
You should harvest marigold seeds when the flowers have fully dried on the plant. Here’s how you know it’s time:
Wait for the flowers to dry out: Once the blooms have faded and turned brown, the petals and seed heads will start to dry out. This usually happens late in the growing season, after the flower has finished blooming.
Check the seed heads: The seed heads should feel dry and papery to the touch. If they’re still green or moist, wait a bit longer to harvest.
Look for mature seeds: Mature marigold seeds are thin, black, and attached to a small, light-colored husk. If the seeds are still soft or pale, they aren’t ready for harvesting yet.
How to Harvest Marigold Seeds
Wait for the flowers to dry: Allow the marigold flowers to dry completely on the plant. They’ll turn brown and crispy. This usually happens near the end of the growing season.
Cut the dried flower heads: Using clean scissors or pruners, snip off the dried flower heads from the plant, leaving a small bit of stem attached.
Remove the seeds: Hold the base of the dried flower head and gently pull the petals apart. Inside, you’ll find long, thin black seeds attached to a pale husk. Carefully separate the seeds from the rest of the flower.
Dry the seeds (if needed): If the seeds still feel a bit moist, spread them out on a paper towel or plate and let them air dry for a few days to prevent mold.
Store the seeds: Once fully dry, store the seeds in a paper envelope or a small container in a cool, dry place. Label the envelope with the date and type of marigold for next season.
