We grow marigold seedlings: the timing of sowing seeds
Marigold or black shaves - one of the most unpretentious garden flowers. Their seeds are distinguished by good germination, the bushes are absolutely not demanding in care, but for a long time they will delight with gorgeous flowering. In addition, the characteristic aroma of inflorescences and leaves will scare away small pests from the site, which makes flowers a useful find for gardeners.
The most common breeding method for marigolds is seed. Most often, seeds are sown immediately in open ground and at the end of summer, lush bushes are covered with yellow or brown inflorescences, emitting a persistent and rich pleasant smell.
The seedling method allows you to bring the time of flowering closer to a month, as well as to avoid such a procedure as thinning seedlings in the garden, because usually the seeds are sown "with a margin" in case not all sprout.
When to sow marigolds for seedlings? Sowing time of seeds depends on two factors:
- local climate;
- the expected flowering time.
Climatic features of growing seedlings
When planning the planting of seedlings, you should pay attention to the fact that marigold seedlings are planted in a flower bed no earlier than the soil warms up well. Warm weather with stable positive values should be established outside, including at night - the seedlings risk dying from return frosts.
In every region, spring comes at its own time. If in the southern strip it is possible to plant seedlings on a flower bed already in May, then in the northern regions the bushes will be able to "move" to the street only at the end of June. Based on this, the timing of sowing seeds is also determined, which vary from the end of February to April.
Influence of flowering time on sowing timing
On average, marigolds need about two months for a full-fledged bush to grow from a small seed and tie buds. It is necessary to start from when you need to get flowering, namely:
- for the southern regions, where black-haired people can bloom in a flowerbed already in April - in May, you can sow seeds for seedlings in the last decade of February - in the first decade of March;
- for summer flowering, it is better to start planting seedlings in April.
If the seedlings are grown early, during the winter months, additional lighting of the seedlings should be provided, otherwise they will stretch out, which will negatively affect flowering.
The seedling method is the best option to get the flowering of marigolds at the right time, besides, the seedlings tolerate transplanting well.