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Cover Crops: Marigold

Author: Anne Verhallen - Soil Management Specialist (Hort Crops)/OMAFRA; Adam Hayes - Soil Management Specialist (Field Crops)/OMAFRA; Ted Taylor - OMAFRA
Creation Date: June 2001
Last Reviewed: 25 August 2003

Table of Contents

  1. Description: Family
  2. Growth Habits
  3. Benefits and Concerns
  4. Getting Started
  5. Related Links

Description

    Figure 1 - Crop of Marigolds

    Figure 1 - Crop of Marigolds
Family
  • Compositae

Growth Habits

Germination
  • annual
Top Growth
  • height growth is cultivar-dependent
  • moderate growth rate
  • stocky plant with lacey leaf growth
  • tough stalks
Root System
  • moderate rate of root growth
  • medium sized root system
Overwintering
  • winterkills

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Benefits and Cautions

Pest Management
  • non-host for nematodes, suppresses nematode populations
  • 2 year control achieved in Ontario
  • needs to be weed free for nematode suppression

Getting Started

Establishment
  • seed can be drilled or broadcast
  • plant shallow – 1 cm. and pack lightly
  • seed is light and fluffy – will bridge in seed drill tubes. Some success has been has with mixing seed with pre-cooked dry rice to help flow from seed box in drill
  • seed at rate of 1.3 kg/ha
  • does not require mowing
Cost & Availability
  • seed is expensive eg more $100 per acre
  • seed can be difficult to source
  • cv Cracker Jack is most common seed available, cv.Creole will also work

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Related Links

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For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca