For those of you who have recently attended a class or workshop at Maitri Studio Brighton, you may have noticed the glorious giant marigolds dotted around my garden. These giant marigolds create a riot of golden colour, happy bees and healthy soil.
I first fell in love with marigolds whilst travelling through Mexico in 2011. We were fortunate enough to experience the Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities, held each year in early November. In Mexico, marigolds are often called Flor de Muerto, flowers of the dead. Their fragrance is believed to attract souls to the altar, from their burial place to their family home. And their bright and cheery colour is said to celebrate lost loved ones' life, instead of feeling bitter about their death. We saw marigolds everywhere! And there was such a happy celebration and honouring of the dead.
Marigolds are also very good at deterring pests and improving the health of soil. They attract bees and other pollinators. They protect tomatoes by repelling nematodes, slugs, tomato hornworms and other pests that love to munch on tomatoes. Once marigolds have come towards the end of their growth, you can then dig them into the soil which fumigates the soil and keeps nematodes at bay.
So many positives! I have recently been collecting the seed (again) of my giant marigolds and will gift some seed packets with the launch of my book ‘Wonder Full Women’ - stay tuned!
Wishing you all the best with your practice and appreciation of marigolds 😘
xx Freya
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