Marigolds are really the best when it comes to keeping all the wrong type of insects away from your vegetables - All natural, without any synthetic chemical pesticides.
Which ones are you growing, @S-H? I always grow some marigolds. I try to find ones with highly scented leaves. Those are less common than they used to be. I like French Marigolds for the size and number of flowers, and leaf scent.
I just started some seeds for the lemon gem marigolds. My others come up on their own. Yours are very pretty!
These are the most common type of Marigolds available over here. I really don't know what other types are common elsewhere in the world. We basically have these in 3 colors - Yellow, orange, and white. These are the big ones which can grow up to 2 feet at the most. There us a smaller verity also, such doesn't grow much taller than 8 to 10 inches. Also available in those same 3 color options. All drive unwanted insects away. But also attract all the right insects to your garden. And yes, they are very fragrant indeed.
Over here those would be called African marigolds. We have french marigolds that grow to about 6in. but liked by slugs and snails in a lot of colours. Pot marigolds that grow to about 12in or so, in yellow as well. I grow some that grow to 8in in a mix of colours.
Nice marigolds. They are a great flower to have in the garden. Always light up any area. Sluggo is a safe for pets and kids to sprinkle around many flowers to keep slugs and snails at bay.
Yes in my experience slugo is safe for birds. See the adds online which explains how Sluggo works on slugs and snails. I have used this product for years . Saved a lot of plants from slugs and snails. Especially newly planted and emerging perennials . There are various forms of Sluggo on the market. Sluggo and new is sluggo plus. Good and bad effects ..depending on your personal experience or belief . I don’t know everything about this product, but found the pros and cons to share on utube videos for using Sluggo . Hopefully can help to give you enough information to make a decision . Of course your welcome to do more research on this product. Pros and cons videos - using Sluggo. https://www.reddit.com/r/gardening/comments/13h8sj2/dangers_of_using_sluggo_ie_iron_phosphate_based/
Logan Welcome.. mostly one video explains how earth worms are affected by Sluggo. I have not noticed that in my garden…while the other video explains the benefits and drawbacks about how Sluggo works on newly planted seedlings and new tender spring growth , but does not work for other insects that plague gardens. I use it around my dahlias grown now in pots for protection from gophers can’t get into potted plants but slugs as big as 3-6” called banana slugs are a big nusiance in this area and climate. In fact the kids hold slug races for fun by finding the biggest slug and placing them on a slug designed race track course at schools. I’m surprised how fast they move when out in the open with no plants around to hide .
