Both the French Marigold and African Marigold make excellent companion plants in your garden. This simply means that they attract beneficial insects that keep other pests away.
Let’s look at the French Marigold first. This flower can be a great one to plant close to your tomatoes and cucumbers.
They specifically repel nematodes. These are tiny worms that live in the soil and can hurt your tomato plants. The French Marigold also deters aphids and whiteflies from settling on your tomatoes.
They protect your cucumbers specifically from leafhoppers and squash bugs. The former likes to feed on the leaves of the plant, while the latter loves eating the cucumber itself (including the roots). You can even water these plants less frequently because the marigold absorbs moisture from rain or your watering and will share with the vegetables.
The bright yellow flower of the African Marigold will not only add beautiful color to your garden, but also emits a chemical called pyrethrin, which acts like a repellent agains those aphids, whiteflies and catepillars. Their strong scent also keeps some animals like deer away from your plants.
Consider planting marigolds as you start making plans for next year’s garden!
