[Donnay]

Hi, I'm new to growing both veg and plants so please bear with me.

I'm growing marigolds this year and they are doing great so ar. Do you have to pinch out the tops so they become more bushy?

[sunshineband]

Best to, for both Calendula (Englsih marigold) and Tagetes (French/frican marigold) as this produces a bushier plant.

[Diddy Gardener]

With Sunshine on this one... I do, and you get many more blooms 

[Elaine G]

Oh thank you Donnay for asking  - I never knew that!

Elaine

[devonbarmygardener]

I have never pinched out the tops of marigolds - thats a total new one on me

Might try on a few this year just to see if it's any better.

Marigolds are one of my ultimate favourite flowers - I love the red and yellow stripy french one best (left a public garden with a few seed heads in my pocket one year and have never looked back ) shame on me

I did notice that the ones I planted around my brassicas on the allotment (to ward of whitefly) were bigger and bushier than the ones at home, so now I put plenty of manure in before I plant them at home too and get the same results.
I also grow a few tubs of marigolds in the greenhouse (for the whitefly disliking the smell purpose) and they seem to thrive in the heat too.

Emma