How to plant a marigold flower garden to prevent mosquitoes?
I want to build a beautiful flower garden and grow marigolds to prevent mosquitos. We have sand as our ground.
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I would plant them in pots to surround your sitting areas. You can also google other plants that are natural bug repellents such as: citronella grass, catnip, lemongrass, etc. Your choices should be based on your growing zone, which you can google alas: citronella grass, catnip, lemongrass, etc. Your choices should be based on your growing zone, which you can google also.
THIS is the best list I've seen!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pest-repelling_plants
I am a mosquito magnet. When I'm around, no one needs bug repellent!
I don't use dryer sheets but having a Bounce sheet hang from your waist does pretty good job at keeping those buggers at bay.
https://dengarden.com/gardening/Gardening-in-Sand
1st Rebecca, I learned something new! I didn't know that marigolds would keep mosquitoes away. Hooray!
I have sandy soil as well. When planting I dig a hole almost twice the size of the plant to give the roots somewhere to go. Next I mix potting soil with some of the sandy yd material & put a good layer in the bottom of ur hole. (I've added in some small pcs of mulch as well sometimes). Make sure when removing flowers from containers to keep as much of the dirt as possible with them. Place the plant in the hole, but not too deep. The flowers should be planted with the roots only a few inches underground with about 2 inches under good potting soil. Then water well. It's best to plant them in spring before it gets too hot, plus they'll have a chance to get the roots established as well. Hope this helps!
Start today by making a compost pile to add to your soil. Get a soil test done through your County Agricultural Extension Office to see just what is needed to have your soil in optimum condition for Marigolds.. You do understand that marigolds will not completely remove mosquitoes from your yard - nor will any other plant? Actually, the best thing is to run a fan to blow them away when you are sitting in your yard. And keep all standing water emptied.
The plants will not prevent mosquitoes, but will make the area around them where they don't want to hang out. Mosquitoes are just one of those scourges of nature that are always around. Make sure you have no breeding grounds of standing water for them to procreate in, like bird baths, if you do, clean them out every few days.
If you are into natural ways to control mosquitos, I may suggest something that we use. We have two locations with lakes. We want people to sit outside until 11:00 PM or later to buy food, wine, and spirits. One thing we found helpful is a product called Mosquito Barrier. It is nearly 100% garlic extract with a small amount of preservative to keep it from going bad. I spray this weekly on all lawn areas, down inside the plants, and on walks and brick walls. It puts a bad garlic taste in my mouth while doing it, but we have no mosquito problems. Once it dries, there is not any strong garlic odor. One ounce a gallon of water applied in a sprayer is more than strong enough. Be sure to strain the mixture or you sprayer tip may keep plugging a little from the garlic. We use a big gas engine sprayer as it takes 75-100 gallons of mixture to treat our property. This product is real garlic, not garlic scented water. This product is not a chemical. It is an herb.
John Virdo - Resident Horticultralist
Gervasi Vineyard, Bistro, Villas, & Twisted Olive
Canton, OH jvirdo@gervasivineyard.com
Marigolds are very easy to grow. Add some top soil if you have too much sand and water...