Tomatoes and marigolds

Has anyone planted marigolds at the base of their tomato plants? I've read they are a great pest repeller, but wasn't sure if I could plant them since they are already limited ish on space?

I planted them along the edges of my boxes/outer square edges last year (my first year!)... They did end up getting pretty big but I kept directing them over the edge of the box and made sure I trimmed up the lower branched of the tomatoes to keep good airflow. When I finally pulled out the dead marigolds last winter it was like pulling out a small garden bush not a flower, the stems/branches were super thick. Make sure you pick off dead flower heads before they dry out!! I have marigolds popping up EVERYWHERE! Needless to say the ones that came up around the edges of the outside of the box I've let grow this year, but have pulled everything that has come up in the boxes. If I had them share again I'd only plant max two seeds and at the very edge of the box between two squares. I definitely wouldn't let them get so big again.. I'd probably pull them and reseed/replant at a certain point.

Marigolds can help deter the Beet Leaf Hopper which is an insect that can infect tomatoes with the dreaded Curly Top Virus.

Excellent thank you! I'll go get a couple plants today

My Dad swears by marigolds for his tomatoes. I'm just now planting my first SFG and am including dwarf marigolds. Good luck!

we put marigolds and nasturtium in the garden every year; also we collect the seed at the end of the summer and replant them next year
yes they get huge, but they are beautiful in the garden and help keep the bugs at bay. Now if I could only find something to keep the tomato caterpillars - those great big horned creeps - out. yuuuk.

Try French Dwarf Marigolds which are only about 12" tall. They are perfect for SFG.

For the past 3yrs of SFG I have always planted marigolds along the outside of my boxes and they have done extremely well.
I also love the scent of the marigolds.

Do marigolds have to actually be IN the box to be effective? Or can they be planted in containers next to the box?

Hello all,

I am also planning on having marigolds throughout my beds.

However, I read that basil can be planted with tomatoes to help get rid of insect pests as well. Apparently, both plants thrive under the same planting conditions. Also, basil is said to assist in tomato pollination.

I've read this from several sources, but my favorite article can be found here:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/191434-what-are-the-benefits-of-planting-basil-in-with-tomato-plants/

I have never planted either tomatoes or basil before, so.... has anyone had any experience with these two sharing SFG squares?

jazzycat.....To save space, you can always put marigolds, nasturtiums, etc in pots and place a brick diagonally on a corner of a bed. That'll leave room for a crop instead and you'll have your pest foilers.
I did that with some pansies so far this year just because I like them for color in the garden and for topping salads. Marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums are going in pots this way soon.

Dwarf French marigolds will not get tall (and they provide better pest protection than the other types), but they do get very vigorous and thick. Not to worry - they can withstand heavy pruning! I keep mine cut back to keep them the size I want. About midsummer, I remove about 2/3rds of the plant. The only response I've seen is that it stimulates more bloom.

jazzycat wrote:Do marigolds have to actually be IN the box to be effective? Or can they be planted in containers next to the box?

Mine are mostly just outside the beds. Some I plant intermingled with squash for squash bugs. Seems to work fine either way.

quiltbea wrote:jazzycat.....To save space, you can always put marigolds, nasturtiums, etc in pots and place a brick diagonally on a corner of a bed. That'll leave room for a crop instead and you'll have your pest foilers.
I did that with some pansies so far this year just because I like them for color in the garden and for topping salads. Marigolds, zinnias and nasturtiums are going in pots this way soon.

QB, I love your idea of putting flowers on corners of beds. Practical to save valuable space for veggies, while still reaping benefits of marigold repelling properties. I'm going to steal this idea!

Pollinator wrote:Dwarf French marigolds will not get tall (and they provide better pest protection than the other types), but they do get very vigorous and thick. Not to worry - they can withstand heavy pruning!  I keep mine cut back to keep them the size I want. About midsummer, I remove about 2/3rds of the plant. The only response I've seen is that it stimulates more bloom.

Pollinator, I planted the dwarf French marigold seeds you gave me among my tomatoes and squash.  When the tomatoes and squash died out, I cut them back and transplanted them to a flower bed near the house.  They are beautiful and very vigorous.  Thanks for the seeds.

yolos wrote:Pollinator, I planted the dwarf French marigold seeds you gave me among my tomatoes and squash.  When the tomatoes and squash died out, I cut them back and transplanted them to a flower bed near the house.  They are beautiful and very vigorous.  Thanks for the seeds.

Now where's that "Like" button?

Thank you very much.

My marigolds have gone wild again this year, and I should soon have lots of fresh seeds, only limited by my time in collecting and saving them. I can supply a limited number of seeds again this year, so those who'd like a proven line of pest repelling DFMs, drop me a line.

This was the 7th year (with two separate gardens this year) that I have not seen a single squash bug, nor have I seen cucumber beetles, and many other common pests. I saw one hornworm the whole season, and it seemed to be confused - it was on a weed, not on a tomato plant. I have a few cabbage worms, but not many - a couple plants have been hit hard; most are untouched.

I only wish the DFMs worked for squash borers and pickle worms. They don't.