DIY Marigold Garland

When it comes to flowers, marigolds are often the cheerful stars that light up any garden. With their bright colors ranging from sunny yellows to deep oranges, marigolds bring warmth and vibrancy to our outdoor spaces and offer a surprising range of benefits that make them more than just a pretty bloom. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or a newbie planting your first seeds, marigolds are the perfect companion for any garden. From their natural pest-repelling properties to their role in traditional medicine and cultural symbolism, marigolds are more than just eye-catching—they’re essential.

Let’s dive into why these little powerhouses deserve a special place in your garden, home, or anywhere!

Marigolds 101

First, let's take a second to learn a little more about these beauts. Marigolds are hardy, annual plants that thrive in various conditions, making them a favorite among beginner and experienced gardeners. They belong to the Asteraceae family and are native to the Americas, though they have become a staple in gardens globally due to their adaptability. They come in several varieties, with the most common being:

• African Marigolds (Tagetes erecta): These are the tallest and largest-flowered marigolds, often growing up to 3 feet high, with big, ball-shaped blooms.

• French Marigolds (Tagetes patula): These more compact and bushy marigolds are perfect for borders or containers. They have smaller flowers and a rich color range.

• Signet Marigolds (Tagetes tenuifolia): These have more delicate, feathery foliage and small, edible flowers often used as garnishes.

Marigolds are well-known for repelling pests like aphids, mosquitoes, and even nematodes (tiny soil worms). Their strong scent masks the smell of other plants, keeping unwanted insects at bay. Planting marigolds as a companion in vegetable gardens can help protect your crops from damage!

These flowers also attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies to your garden. By bringing in pollinators, marigolds help boost the overall health of your garden's ecosystem, which is essential for growing fruits and vegetables. Lastly, marigolds can improve soil quality by deterring harmful nematodes and promoting beneficial microorganisms. They are excellent for crop rotation and organic gardening, as they help maintain soil health naturally!

Now, let's explore using these beautiful flowers to create a garland.

Materials needed

• Fresh marigold flowers (around 50-100, depending on the garland length)

• Strong thread or cotton string (nylon fishing line also works well)

• A needle with a large eye (to fit the string)

• Scissors

• Optional: additional greenery or decorative beads for accents

  
  

Step-by-step instructions to make your marigold garland

Prepare the flowers

Gently pluck the marigold flowers from their stems, keeping the blooms as intact as possible.

If your flowers have a lot of excess stems or leaves, trim them down to keep the focus on the blooms themselves.

Group flowers by size if you plan to create a pattern or design with your garland.

Cut the thread or string

Cut a piece of thread or string that’s about 1.5 times the length you want your finished garland to be. This extra length allows you to tie knots and hang the garland easily.

Thread the needle with the string, tying a large knot at the end to secure the flowers in place.

Thread the flowers

Starting with the base of the flower, gently push the needle through the center of each bloom, guiding it out through the top.

Slide the flower down the thread until it reaches the knot at the end.

Continue this process with the remaining flowers, pushing each bloom snugly against the previous one to create a dense and full garland.

Create a pattern (optional)

To make your garland more decorative, you can alternate between marigolds of different sizes or add beads or greenery between the flowers.

This will create a visually appealing pattern and add more texture to your garland.

Secure the ends

Once you reach your desired garland length, tie a sturdy knot at the end of the thread to secure the flowers in place.

You may want to leave a small loop on each end of the garland for easy hanging.

Fluff and adjust

Gently fluff and adjust the flowers to fill in any gaps and make the garland look full and even.

Ensure that the flowers are spaced tightly enough to hold their shape without slipping on the thread.

Hang the garland

Your marigold garland is now ready to be displayed! Hang it above doorways, around windows, or drape it over tables and altars.

For outdoor use, keep in mind that marigolds are fairly resilient to heat, but they will last longer if kept in a cool area.

Some helpful tips

• Fresh is best: Use fresh marigolds for the most vibrant and long-lasting garland. If possible, pick the flowers the same day you plan to make the garland.

• Storing: If you need to make the garland ahead of time, store it in a cool place or lightly mist it with water and keep it in the refrigerator to preserve the blooms.

• Mix it up: For a more festive look, mix marigolds with other flowers like strawflowers, other marigold varieties, or chrysanthemums.

Marigold garlands are easy to make and add a beautiful touch to any celebration. They symbolize joy, warmth, and positivity. Happy crafting!