Tagetes patula## HOW TO GROW MARIGOLD PATULA Start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, plant out 4 weeks before frost. Direct sow after last frost a group of three seeds every 6–8”. When 2” tall, thin to 1 seedling every 6–8”. Not very frost resistant, hardy to zone 9. Soil pH 6.0–6.2. Hardiness zones 9–11. Annual.Usual seed life: 2–4 years.Planting Depth 1/4"Soil Temp. Germ. 75–80˚FDays to Germ. 7–14Plant Spacing 6–8”Row Spacing 12–18”Days To Maturity 85Full Sun, Moist Well Drained Soil ##Makes a fine garden hedge, yellow to red blossoms. Uniform, thick plants 3 - 4 feet tall. Prolific red to yellow blooms vary with the season as the burgundy flowers become streaked with yellow and then return to burgundy with the season’s temperature changes. French marigolds are commonly planted in butterfly gardens as a nectar source. The whole plant is harvested when in flower and distilled for its essential oil. The oil is used in perfumery; it is blended with sandalwood oil to produce 'attar genda' perfume. Also known as French marigold. Tags: Color: Bi-Colored, Specialty: Deer Resistant, Season: Summer. In its native habitat of the highlands of central Mexico, blooms are produced from September to killing frost. Tagetes patula florets are grown and harvested annually to add to poultry feed to help give the yolks a golden color. The florets can also be used to color foods. The dried and ground flower petals are a popular spice in the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus, where they are known as imeruli shaphrani or 'Imeretian Saffron' from their pungency and golden color. The spice has a unique, rather earthy flavor to Georgian cuisine, in which it is considered especially compatible with cinnamon and cloves. It is also a essential ingredient in the spice mixture khmeli-suneli, which is to Georgian cookery what garam masala is to the cookery of North India, with which Georgia shares elements of the Mughlai cuisine. ##Idyllwild##Conventional##Seed grower since 2018##//cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0129/8922/files/NoelandAnn210x165.jpg?2##Idyllwild was born of our joyful curiosity and celebration of nature’s diverse gifts. Following nature’s model of open dispersal and dissemination, we share these seeds with you and invite you to play in the garden of abundance. We learn from nature and she has taught us to live and think in terms of “abundance” instead of “scarcity”. Diversity - in all forms, from genetic to creative expression - is the heart of resilience. We enjoy experimenting with myriads of flavors, colors, and textures and the world opens to us in infinite possibilities. As a result, we are nourished in body, mind, and spirit.