How Deep To Plant Marigold Seeds? [Planting Guide]

Do you know Marigold seeds have a unique smell that can repel insects but not birds if you do not know how deep you need to plant them?

Despite the easy germination steps, Marigold seeds might not germinate if you carry out germination haphazardly.

Thus, follow the article until the end to learn the fail-safe Marigold seed germination steps.

How to Plant Marigold Seeds? [Step-By-Step Guide]

From the early summer to late fall, Marigold produces vibrant yellow, red or orange flowers with several ruffled petals.

The flower head turns into a seed pod ready to collect after the petals turn dry with a brown base.

You can aim to plant Marigold seeds right after a week or so from the last spring frost.

Otherwise, give seeds a headstart almost a month indoors before your area’s estimated last frost date.

Before planting Marigold seeds, gather a trowel, rake, seed starter tray and watering can.

• Prepare a seed starter soilmix, ensuring it is well-draining and fertile.
• Dig half feet or 15cm down outdoors and loosen the ground soil using a trowel. Then amend organic compost or fertilizer to make the soil lightly fertile.
• Ensure to choose a sunny spot where the sun shines directly for about seven hours on average daily.
• Before you plant seeds, moisten the soil thoroughly.
• Carefully sow or plant the pointed end of Marigold seeds just below the surface deep, ensuring they are not entirely covered with soil.
• If you head start seeds in a pot, sow three to four seeds in each tray compartment.
• Place the tray in a sunny, warm spot like a south or east window and use grow lights if viable.
• Fetch some water after sowing the seeds and moisten the soil without making it soggy.

Marigold seeds germinate relatively faster, as they can germinate within a week or two.

Aim to thin out the seedlings to maintain at least six inches of spacing between each Marigold seedling.

Meanwhile, leave one or two seedlings in each pot while growing Marigolds indoors and transplant them outdoors after the final frost.

How Deep To Plant Marigold Seeds?

Although Marigold seeds are not photoblastic, they must not be buried too deep in the soil as the light still enhance germination.

If you plant them too deep, you are most likely to discourage germination and instead cause seed rot.

On the other hand, planting Marigolds too shallowly can act like an open invitation to bird soirée.

Remember, how deep you can plant or depth can vary as you can plant Marigold seeds by scattering or directly sowing them.

1. Direct Sowing

The direct sowing approach is much more feasible if you headstart your seeds indoors and gives full control over the seed depth.

Plant Marigold seeds with the pointed end just 3/10 cm or 1/8 inch deep into the soil with a spacing of 2.5 cm or unit inch.

After sowing the seeds, you can carefully add a small layer or 1/16th inch of starter mix atop the seeds.

2. Scattering or Sprinkling Seeds

Besides direct sowing, you can plant Marigold seeds by scattering them atop a moistened seed starter soil.

This approach is ideal for directly germinating seeds outdoors after the final frost date.

Then gently dab the seeds so they are just below the soil surface but remember not to push them too deep.

You can thin out the seedlings to lower competition and increase spacing to a half foot.