Cracker Jack Mix Marigold Seeds

An heirloom introduced in the 1970s, Crackerjack Mix is an early double-flowering type of African marigold. Known for its bushy habit and scented feathery leaves, the tall, sturdy stalks support large, brilliant double-flowers. The plants reach 2-3 feet high and the fluffy, 4-5-inch-wide sun-loving blooms range in shades of pale citron-yellow to golden to deep orange.

A great addition to beds, borders and cutting gardens, Crackerjack Mix makes magnificent long-lasting cut flowers. A true butterfly magnet, Marigold is also known to repel a long list of unwanted insects from around your garden. Their petals are edible and have a slightly citrusy, spicy flavour, a great way to add a sunny touch to your summer dishes.

- Latin Name: Tagetes erecta
- Life Cycle: Annual
- Days to Maturity: 75-85
- Planting Depth: 2-3 seeds 5 mm deep
- Plant Spacing: 15 cm
- Growth Habit: 50-70 cm tall

GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

Marigolds are extremely common and popular in garden beds, for good reason. They are quick-growing annuals with bountiful pom-pom blooms of multiple colours. Known to deter many critters and pests with their fragrance, marigolds also pair well with many commonly grown fruits and vegetables. They come in a variety of shapes, colours and sizes, but all fall under the aster family.

To get a head start and ensure early blooms, start indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. Seeds sown directly will also germinate quickly, especially self-sown seeds from the previous year’s flowers.

To start inside, sow seeds into a flat or individual pots with moist soil. Lightly cover the seeds and keep them in a warm spot. Cover the containers with plastic wrap to create a humidity dome. In about five days, when seeds germinate, plastic can be removed. At this point, the sprouts will need at least four to five hours of light per day, be it from a sunny window or grow lights.

Keep the seedlings moist and warm. Water from the bottom if possible to prevent young flowers from damping off. When the danger of frost has passed and seedlings are producing a lot of foliage, they’re ready to harden off and to be prepared for transplanting.

Marigolds are at their healthiest and produce loads of flowers when they receive full sun, while they tend to get leggy and weak in the shade. Marigolds aren’t picky when it comes to their growing medium. They seem to do fine in fair soil as long as it’s not too acidic. Early on, young marigolds should be watered consistently. As the season progresses, they should become more drought tolerant, but will still give the most flowers when watered regularly.

These flowers are true heat-loving annuals and will only slow down in the excessive dead heat of summer. In cooler regions, they will bloom steadily throughout the season. Early in the season, initial flower buds can be pinched out to promote a bushier base that will flower like crazy later in the year. Stay on top of deadheading spent blossoms. This will keep the plant flowering strongly and providing vibrant colours through the fall season. 

Marigolds are low maintenance, do well in containers or garden beds and make a wonderful addition to any cut flower arrangement. 

QUICK FACTS

- Marigolds, both African and French are native to Mexico and Guatemala. They were brought to Europe and Africa in the late 1500s and became popular in American and Canadian gardens by the 1800s.

- African marigolds (Tagetes erecta) are quite resistant to heat and draughts. They quickly naturalized in Northern Africa and the British erroneously named the plant after the continent.

- French marigolds, (Tagetes patula), which the British called ‘’Rose of the Indies,’’ are known to have smaller flowers and a longer blooming season while being more resistant to rain than their African counterpart.

- In Spain, the flowers were often placed on the altar of the Virgin Mary and eventually became known as Mary’s Gold, hence the name.

- Marigolds have long been popular in India where they are known as the ‘’friendship flower.’’

- Marigold seeds will remain viable for 2 years if stored in a cool, dark place, ideally between 4 and 10⁰C. After that, the germination rate may start to go down.