Marigolds: Not Just a Pretty Flower

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Marigolds are an annual flower that comes in a yellow, gold or orange blooms. They are very easy to grow and are quite popular due to this fact and the colorful flowers they produce. I picked up a couple of packs of Marigolds at Lowes on clearance. I got them mainly because they emit an odor that repels mosquitoes. I plan on potting some for the back porch to keep the mosquitoes away, thus keeping them form entering my house via the back door. I also found out they are excellent to put in a garden as they also deter crawling insects. I recently learned that marigolds were a safe flower and plant for chickens. Lots of plants and/or flowers are toxic to chickens so I watch what is planted here since I do have chickens. They are also safe for human consumption in salads or you can even make tea. Years ago, marigolds were used for first aid treatments. One way it was used was as an antiseptic for cuts. The oils from the stem of the plant was used for earaches and also to make eye drops for eye infections. Oils from the marigold stem was also used in tonics for coughs and colds due to its antibiotic properties. So the next time you plant marigolds remember how useful this plant really is. Photo: My own