...Marigolds...

Now it is time to start your marigolds from seed (African marigolds are the easiest to grow in my opinion).

Start the seeds inside, in trays, as marigold sprouts are often eaten by slugs if you sow them straight in the garden.

Wait for the sprouts to be about 4 cm tall before you transfer them outside. When sprouts mature, slugs leave them alone.

Their wonderful orange / yellow flowers stay bloomed all summer long in the UK (down to Halloween, in Southern England).

They do not require much care. Water them a little if the weather gets very dry, otherwise the lovely rainy British summer will do the trick. 

Did you know that magpies hate the smell of marigolds? If you feed garden birds and a naughty magpie eats all the bird food that your blackbirds are entitled to, place some marigolds next to the feeder... Job done!

They are also ideal for hanging baskets.