Growing marigolds with kids

Did you know you can eat marigolds? Add the petals to salads to make them bright and colourful. Marigolds are bright orange and yellow flowers - some look like daisies and some look like pom-poms. There are French marigolds, African Marigolds and 'Pot marigolds' (not really a marigold, but a plant called 'Calendula').

What you'll need:

• • Packet of marigold seeds
• • Container, window box or hanging basket
• • Multi-purpose compost

Step 1: Choose where to plant them

Marigolds are a good 'companion plant'.
Image: Arjuna Kodisinghe

Step 2: Sow your seeds

Marigolds grow well in window boxes.
Image: Paulay

Step 3: Care for your marigolds

Pot marigolds grow to 24-45cm tall.
Image: mcajan

Suggested varieties:

• • French marigolds: 'Boy O'Boy Orange'
• • African marigolds: 'Sunspot Mixed'
• • Pot marigolds (calendula): 'Sherbet Fizz'

There's plenty more information in the downloadable guide. Print it out for more detailed instructions and even more marigold facts!

	Click the image to download the full pdf guide

See all the Kids Grow guides

• Kids Grow - gardening with children

Individual guides

Fruit, veg and salad

• Growing Strawberries with kids
• Growing Pumpkins with kids
• Growing Potatoes with kids
• Growing Runner Beans with kids
• Growing Carrots with kids
• Growing Courgettes with kids
• Growing Peas with kids
• Growing Fennel with kids
• Growing Tomatoes with kids
• Growing Cucumbers with kids
• Growing Radishes with kids
• Growing Salad Leaves with kids
• Growing Spinach with kids
• Growing Chives with kids
• Growing Cress with kids

Flowers

• Growing Sunflowers with kids
• Growing Nasturtiums with kids
• Growing Sweet Peas with kids
• Growing cornflowers with kids