Cosmo flowers in a field

Ready to give your garden a fall facelift? Well, you’re in luck. The crew and I recently did a video on these fall beauties, as I am totally smitten with cosmos and marigolds, and I think you will be too! These guys are not only super easy to care of – but are absolute CHAMPS in pots and garden beds alike. I’m going to give you a little more information here and a few tips to jazz up your garden this season.

Cosmos: Bringing Mexico’s Magic Right to My Backyard

Okay, so let’s talk cosmos. These beauties are native to the meadows and scrubs of Mexico, but they’re now flaunting their vibrant colors all over South and Central America. The colors range from sunny yellows and oranges to dreamy pinks, whites, and even a deep maroon – they’ve got it all.

My pro-tip? Get them some good sunshine and make sure the soil drains well. And DO NOT FORGET to snip off those old blooms. It keeps them looking fresh and encourages more of those lovely petals to pop up. I know it’s a little bit of work, but trust me; you’ll thank me later.

Marigolds: The Jack of All Trades in My Garden

And then, it’s over to the marigolds. These little sunbursts come in all sorts of shades – we’re talking orange, red, gold, and even white. And they really do light up just about any space they’re in. Whether in pots or planted in the ground, these guys aren’t fussy, just make sure they don’t sit in waterlogged soil.

It’s a divided world on this, but most of us in the industry prefer that you DO deadhead your marigolds, like with cosmos. When you remove spent blooms, the plant oftentimes will produce more buds, and boom – more color.

If you don’t want to deadhead your marigolds, it’s fine – it doesn’t necessarily hurt anything, but I don’t believe you’re getting as much out of the plant that you could. Up to you. (But I tell everyone to do it, so there you go.)

CHECK OUT OUR VIDEO ON COSMOS & MARIGOLDS!

Why I’m All About Cosmos and Marigolds This Fall

As summer waves goodbye and fall starts to roll in, I can’t help but fall head over heels for the warmth and color that cosmos and marigolds bring to my garden. Whether you are newbie gardener or a seasoned pro, marigolds and cosmos won’t let you down. Cheers to a colorful fall! 

– Kris