Rules for using marigolds as green manure and how such fertilizer is useful

The productivity and resistance of garden crops to pests largely depends on the quality and composition of the soil. Therefore, when growing plants, gardeners often use mineral or organic fertilizers, which eliminate the lack of nutrients in the soil. However, it is not always possible to provide sufficient feeding. In such cases, using marigolds as green manure (a plant that replaces fertilizer) helps.

The benefits and harms of marigolds for a country garden

The beneficial properties of marigolds (tagetes) are determined depending on the growing zone. These flowers are grown near:

1. Nightshades (potatoes, peppers, tomatoes and others). This proximity prevents the proliferation of aphids, nematodes, whiteflies, weevils, Colorado potato beetles and other pests.
2. Strawberries. A plant next to tagetes is less likely to become infected with gray mold.
3. Cabbages. This combination reduces the risk of cabbage fly and white fly breeding.
4. Luke. The smell that marigolds emit repels root mites and secretive proboscis.

Gardeners pay attention to other features that marigolds are useful for. The roots of these flowers contain a substance that prevents growth in the garden:

• purslane;
• creeping wheatgrass;
• horsetail and other weeds.

In addition to fighting worms and insects living in the soil, marigolds provide another useful service: this plant protects against fungal infections. At the same time, despite the described properties, tagetes can harm some crops. Planting flowers next to legumes is highly discouraged.

Using the biological properties of a flower

Due to prolonged use, the fertile soil layer becomes compacted, making it difficult to dig up the garden every year. Planting specific plants, or green manures, which include marigolds, helps to cope with this problem.

Flowers improve the composition of the soil and are used to prepare compost or liquid fertilizer, as mulch, or as a component in the preparation of solutions that are used to treat vegetable crops. One of the important features of marigolds is that the effect of tagetes lasts for 5-6 years.

Marigolds as fertilizer

Among the most common methods uses of marigolds include the use of flowers as a fertilizer. Moreover, to feed fruits and vegetables, you can either plant this plant in the garden or add it to compost or mulch.

Growing as green manure

Marigolds have a fibrous root system. Therefore, if the plant is used as green manure, in the fall it is necessary to cut off the upper part of the flowers. The roots remaining in the ground improve oxygen microcirculation and prevent the development of fungal infections.

If you plan to use marigolds as an organic fertilizer, it is recommended to cut off the stems of the flowers 2 months after planting and place the tops in the soil. The stems rot in the soil, increasing the content of useful microelements.

Mulching

When using tagetes for mulching, with the onset of autumn, it is necessary to trim, chop and scatter the flowers with stems on the garden bed, and then dig up the garden. With the onset of spring, the crop will completely decompose. This mulch will increase the content of nitrogen and other micronutrients in the soil. At the same time, the rate of moisture penetration will increase. It is not recommended to use tagetes as mulch in the spring, since the plant does not have time to decompose before planting fruit crops.

Humus

The optimal and simplest way to prepare fertilizer is to create humus.To do this, you will need to dig a hole in the garden with the onset of autumn and lay down the stems and roots of the marigolds. Then the plants should be compacted and filled with plenty of water. By spring, the humus will be ready for use in the garden.

Liquid fertilizer

In addition to the above methods, marigolds are recommended for use in preparing liquid fertilizer. To do this, you will need to chop and place the stems with flowers in a large container (wooden, plastic or ceramic), filling the composition with water. It is recommended to press the raw materials with a press. Then the mixture must be kept in a dark place for two weeks.

During the specified period, the fermentation process begins, which is indicated by foam appearing on the surface of the water. As soon as the composition darkens, the fertilizer is ready for use.

This mixture is used for watering plants. This fertilizer accelerates fruiting and improves growth. Before introducing fertilizer into the soil, it is recommended to dilute the mixture with clean water in a ratio of 1:9. If the composition is used for spraying crops, then a proportion of 1:20 is used.

Application in compost

There are different points of view on whether marigolds can be buried along with other plants used in composting. In fact, this option for using flowers is considered successful. Most gardeners recommend putting marigold tops in the compost pit, since tagetes inhibit pathogenic bacteria and destroy the larvae of the cockchafer.

We use the plant as a fungicide and herbicide

The substances that make up marigolds allow this flower to be used to combat pests and diseases.

Pest control solution

To obtain an effective solution against pests, you will need to mix tagetes with other similar plants:

• tobacco;
• sagebrush;
• nettle;
• alfalfa;
• mustard;
• horseradish;
• tomatoes.

From the resulting mixture you should take no more than two kilograms and add 10 liters of water. The solution is infused for two days in a dark room. After straining, 10 liters of water are re-added to the mixture. It is recommended to treat fruit and vegetable crops with the resulting composition every 5 days. To increase the effectiveness of the solution, 40 grams of liquid soap should be added to the mixture at the preparation stage. The latter will increase the viscosity of the composition. Thanks to this, the product will last longer on the leaves of the plant and be better absorbed.

Before planting gladioli, lilies and tulips, it is recommended to soak the bulbs of these flowers in the described mixture for 8-10 hours. This procedure helps reduce the risk of plant infection with fungal infections.

Soil disinfection

Fresh marigolds are used to disinfect the soil. To do this, with the onset of autumn, you will need to bury cut stems and flowers (without roots) in the ground in the garden bed. During the winter, the plant overheats, producing substances that destroy nematodes and other insects harmful to fruit and vegetable crops.

You can also use tagetes for “fallow” disinfection, when flowers are planted for a season in an empty garden bed, and vegetables are placed here the following year.

Folk recipes for aphid infusion

To destroy or prevent the appearance of an aphid colony, you will need to fill half a 10-liter bucket with crushed marigolds (both stems and flowers will be needed), and fill the rest with warm (50-60 degrees) water. The composition should infuse for two days.After filtering, add 40 grams of laundry soap to the solution.

The resulting product is applied to the affected plant from a spray bottle in the following volume:

• up to 8 liters - for an adult tree;
• up to 4 liters - for bushes;
• up to 3 liters - per 10 square meters of garden.

In case of aphid infestation of strawberries, you will need to steep the chopped marigolds in cold water, soak the tansy in hot water for two hours and grate a clove of garlic (each ingredient will require no more than 200 grams). Then all components are mixed and filled with 10 liters of water.

It is necessary to treat crops with the above products until the aphids disappear completely..

Weed control

Tagetes are successfully used in weed control. To do this, it is enough to plant flowers in the garden bed, between fruit and vegetable crops. Marigolds, due to the substances they secrete, suppress the growth and development of various weeds.