Keep Pests Out of Your Gardens: Grandma's Solution - Plant Marigolds

We live in a rural area where rabbits, field mice, moles, ground hogs are notorious for destroying vegetable gardens. They can wreck a vegetable garden overnight. I've tried many over-the-counter products but nothing seems to work. The majority of our neighbors are third generation farmers. I thought who better to ask about ridding gardens of these uninvited pests than the local farmers.

Our neighbor Farmer Mike has five large kitchen gardens. He told me other than trapping the varmints his family has always used a natural repellent. Grandma's solution to the problem was marigolds. Rabbits, skunks moles hate them. The scent [to them] is pungent and unpleasant. They stay clear of them. He added that his Grandma would grow them from seed. He preferred to purchase from the lawn and gardening nursery and plant them along the edge of his gardens. She preferred to place them intermittently between plants like cabbage, carrots, peas and strawberries. Marigolds are an ally to these plants as well as a deterrent for Mexican bean beetles and aphids. Good advice!

Marigolds come in a variety of colors and sizes from orange-red, orange-yellow, yellow, pure yellow and pure white. I've also seen them in light to dark green varieties . Marigolds are easy to grow and have a long flowering period. Sizes vary from 8-16 inches. They grow best in warmer climate, however, they can withstand limited bouts of cooler weather. They're a sturdy resilient flower. Planted in spring they will continue to blossom through the fall season.

Harvesting marigolds seeds is simple. They are large, abundant and easily separated. Place the seeds on a paper towel, let them dry completely, then store in commercial seed packets or make your own packets from recycled brown paper bags. I've used dehydrated and fresh marigold flower as a handy insect repellent. Briskly rub the flower in your hands. Instant gnat repellent!

Our neighborhood is zoned as RFD, Rural Farm District. The majority of our neighbors including myself own horses. Summer flies are a problem especially for older horses. My remedy, I pull apart 6-8 small fresh marigold flowers add them to a quart of water and a few drops of citronella and dish washing liquid. Strain and pour mixture into a spray bottle. Let it sit overnight then spray the horses. Keep spray away from the eyes and other sensitive areas. Easy to use and cost effective.

If you want pest free spring and summer gardens now's the time to start growing your marigold seedlings. If you choose to sow them indoors start at least 6 to 8 week's prior to the last frost date in your region. Planting marigolds in vegetable gardens is an eco-friendly alternative to rid your garden of destructive pests and insects.

Source(s):
http://www.onlinegardenertips.com/flower-gardening/marigold/Types-Of-Marigolds.html
My Personal Gardening Experience