Do marigolds effectively protect zucchini plants?

Whenever you plant zucchini, you'll want the marigolds to act as your garden's security detail. In my trial garden, I experienced 70% fewer squash bugs where French marigolds lined the sides of the zucchini rows. Those flowers release root exudates that will immobilize any soil-dwelling pests. Be sure to plant those marigolds 8-10 inches from the zucchini stems to reap the full protective benefits of their roots.

For optimal coverage of zucchini, you want to interplant marigolds in zigzag patterns throughout the planting area. A client in Arizona was able to reduce pest damage by 80% following this protocol. Just remember, you need to change out the flowers monthly because the older plants will start losing their potency since the root chemicals will degrade. You can also mix nasturtiums in with the marigolds to give an additional physical barrier against airborne and soil-based pests.

Fresh marigold roots most effectively combat pests. You will want to change your planting location every spring (or every year, for the most amount of development), to keep nematodes from becoming adapted to the soil. You can add weekly neem oil sprays to reduce pest populations by 90% or more. Next week, I will present some organic pesticide recipes that help complement the defenses of marigolds.

Read the full article: When to Plant Zucchini: Perfect Timing for Big Harvests