" Marigolds "
By Angel Wendy
Besides the beauty of their colors, marigolds serve other purposes for me: They keep snakes away from the house where they are planted, and they contain a chemical called pyrethin, which is a natural insecticide. I always plant a few marigolds in my vegetable garden as well, to keep bugs off them. I have also found that if I crush a blossom in my hands and rub it on my dog's fur, it helps repel mosquitos and fleas. Pyrethins are often added to commercial insecticides.
I plant mine either from starter plants or seeds- this year I did both ways, I usually plant them after Good Friday, when danger of frost is over. They give me beautiful blooms all summer, as long as I always pinch off the dead blossoms rather than letting the fall off. This also makes the plants bush out better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
