Want to know how to harvest marigold flowers in the UK? Marigold flowers are a mainstay in most UK gardens. They bloom beautiful flowers all season long, and they’re easy to grow from seed. Knowing how to save marigold seeds is essential if you want to continue growing them the following season.
Fortunately, harvesting marigold seeds are pretty quick and easy. You only need to take the seeds from the flowers and air dry them before storing them during the winter season. You can pack it up with a container or seed packets to save even more for the next growing season. Some of the marigold flowers are edible and best to mix in your salads to add a distinct flavour to them.
Tools You’ll Need to Harvest Marigold Flowers
The tools you’ll need to harvest marigold flowers include a basket or other available containers used in harvesting flowers. You’ll also need some paper towels, a sharp knife, a pair of scissors, or gardening shears.
Since you need to evaluate or describe the process, get yourself some notes. Seed packets can be envelopes or closed-air containers, excluding plastic containers and bags.
How to Harvest Marigold Flowers in the UK
Here’s how you can harvest marigold plants for flower arrangements and bouquets:
Letting Marigold Flowers Dry
It’s essential to wait until the right time to collect marigold seeds. You can harvest the seeds when the petals are dry already (when the base of each flower turning brownish). However, make sure there’s still a bit of green colour left in the bloom base. If you also wait until it completely turns brown, it may start to rot or mould. It’s essential to wait for the perfect time to harvest marigolds since it is crucial to have the right quality of marigold seeds.
Tip in harvesting: While you are harvesting, cut each marigold flower head using your cutting equipment or pinch it with your finger. However, be sure not to pull the flowers as they can harm the roots of your marigolds.
Opening the Marigold
Get your paper towel and set it on a flat surface. After, hold each bloom’s base, pull off, and discard the petals and leaves. Then, you will quickly notice the attached seeds inside the base. In the meantime, set the prepared blooms on your paper towels for bulk removal of seeds. You may also use more oversized towels to manage and accommodate the abundant blooms of your marigolds.
Removal of Marigold Seeds
Marigold seeds are likely to have a long, slender, and pointed appearance. Divided ends with black colour and white colour on the opposite edge. Gather your blooms, pull off all petals and leaves, and start pulling the seeds from the base. After getting all marigold seeds, discard the base in a single place like bins or garbage bags. After sorting, put another paper towel on another flat surface and spread the pulled marigold seeds on it.
Drying of Seeds
As mentioned above, let your marigold seeds air dry for about a week in an uncovered paper towel. It will enable them to be preserved even in frost season and prevent them from getting rot and mould.
Seed Storing
After drying the seeds, gather them and start placing them inside your seed packets to prolong their lifespan and still be used after the frost. Do not use plastic bags in storing your marigold seeds because they will retain residual moisture, which will affect your marigold seeds and even get rot and mould. To avoid forgetting about your marigold seeds, put a label on them to prevent possible disposal if unlabeled.
Using Stored Seeds for Replanting
After storing your collected marigold seeds, it is perfect for planting during the growing season. You can enjoy once again the benefits of it, from UK house beautification to an edible ingredient for your salad.
Facts about Marigold Flowers
Marigolds are especially good for repelling insects and pests, making them companion plants for tomatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, and chilli pepper because of their aromatic scent of some variety. It is fantastic having this kind of flow in your plant. Imagine you have a beautiful, attractive UK garden and a very natural insect and pest repellent that will protect your plants from any abrogation.
African marigolds have larger flower heads on plants that grow from 10 to 36 inches tall. While French marigolds are more petite and bushier, having only two inches of flower head across on plants and only having six to eighteen inches in height. Sizes and colours vary in their classification. Having a mixed combination is pretty great, will also add more pleasant and abundant colour to your UK garden.
The Benefits of Growing Marigolds in a Greenhouse
Have you ever thought of growing your marigolds in a greenhouse? If you haven’t, it’s time to consider getting a greenhouse.
Greenhouses are great for keeping your marigolds safe from pests and diseases. Marigolds are susceptible to insects and blight, such as caterpillars, aphids, leaf spots, and mildews. You can lower the risk of plant damage by growing your marigolds in a greenhouse.
Additionally, greenhouses can also keep your plants safe from bad weather that could easily damage your flowers.
Final Thoughts on How to Harvest Marigold Flowers in the UK
Knowing how to harvest marigold flowers in the UK is crucial if you plan to plant them in your UK garden. These beautiful flowers usually come in yellow and orange colours are a great addition to any garden in the UK or flower arrangement.