Growing guide
How to grow marigolds
A three-season flower crop timed to festivals — and a trap crop that protects tomatoes.
At a glance
- Planting window
- Rainy: June–July · Winter: September–October · Summer: January–February (festival flowers in October–November need July–August planting)
- Duration
- 90–120 days
- Climate
- 15–30 °C
- Soil
- Most well-drained soils; pH 6.5–7.5
- Water need
- Moderate
- Seed
- About 500–600 g of seed per acre
- Spacing
- 40 × 30 cm
- Yield
- 40–60 quintals of flowers per acre.
What to do, and when
Dates assume planting around 18 Oct. Change the plan to shift them.
- 4–5 weeks before — Nursery: Raised bed.
- Day 0 — Transplant: 40 × 30 cm.
- Days 30–40 — Pinch the tips: More branches, more flowers.
- Months 2–4 — Pick open flowers: Every 3–4 days.
Varieties to consider
Buy certified seed or planting material from an authorised source.
- Pusa Narangi Gainda · Pusa Basanti Gainda — IARI orange and yellow types.
Water
- Every 6–8 days.
- Never let it go short at: Flowering
Nutrition
- Dose: About 100 kg N, 60 kg P₂O₅, 60 kg K₂O per hectare
- Transplanting: all P, K and half N.
- At pinching: remaining N.
Pests and diseases to watch
Prevent first; spray only when needed, with a product registered for the crop, at label dose.
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Yield and economics
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- Price: Indicative price (₹30/kg); festival weeks pay more
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What would you like to do next?
Where these numbers come from
- ICAR / state university general recommendation A typical range for irrigated conditions. Your soil test decides the final dose.
- Common grower practice in north India Widely followed by farmers; confirm with your KVK for your block.
- Agriculture Novel indicative estimate A planning number, not a quote. Replace it with your own costs and your mandi’s price.
