Marigolds are bright, colorful, and add instant sunshine to your garden. But did you know that marigolds have more uses than just visual appeal? Marigolds can be quite helpful around the home and garden and serve some important purposes. Take a look below at 5 ways to use marigolds in your home and garden that you can try this growing season. You are sure to be impressed with the power they pack.
5 Ways to Use Marigolds in Your Home and Garden
1. Protect the garden from pests.
Marigolds have a very strong odor that pests are not too fond of. Certain beetle varieties, root attacking worms, and other critters will recognize their scent and steer clear. Planting a few in your garden and flower bed can help keep it pest free.
2. Keep bunnies at bay.
Gardeners have used marigolds for years to keep bunnies from nibbling on their produce. Plant a border of marigolds around your garden to keep bunnies from coming in and helping themselves to an all you can eat buffet.
3. Add some spice.
Marigolds have a spicy flavor, and so they can add a pop of flavor to your cooking. Clean and crumble the petals into your meals and taste the difference. You can add them to chicken dishes, salads, marinades, and more.
4. Make some tea.
You can brew marigold blooms into tea and get quite the sensory experience. Just steep a few blooms (cleaned first) in warm water. Add some lemon and mint if you wish. You will be enjoying some tasty tea with a tad of spice you are sure to love.
5. Pump up your beauty regimen.
You can add some marigold oil to your lotions, face masks, and other beauty products to amp them up a bit. Just steep the blooms in warm water, strain, and add some olive oil or coconut oil. Add the mixture to any and all of your beauty products for some natural fragrance.
See what kind of power these little yellow petals pack? Give some of these uses a try and enjoy marigolds in a whole new way.
More Frugal Gardening Tips
- Frugal Gardening Tips: How to Start a Garden on a Budget
- How to Save Money at Greenhouses and Gardening Centers
- How to Save Money by Growing Perennials
- How to Garden for {Nearly} Free
- 5 Ways to Use Coffee Grounds in the Garden
- 5 Ways to Use Citrus Peels in the Garden
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Barbara Fenton says
We are overrun with squirrels & they are eating up our garden. I noticed you recommended planting marigolds to deter bunnies; will that work for squirrels.
We have tomatoes planted in boxes & the plants are tall. Squirrels climb up
the supporting sticks 7 just grab all the tomatoes they want. It’s really frustrating!
Alea Milham says
I don’t know if marigolds will deter squirrels. We don’t have squirrels in my area, so I haven’t tried it.