Finish with the marigolds

Who didn’t grow marigolds as a child? If you were put off by stumpy versions try more statuesque cultivars such as ‘Linnaeus’ or ‘Cinnabar’. Sow these half-hardy annuals under cover from March to May and plant out after all risk of frost. Use some form of slug deterrent or young plants will be chomped back to stumps overnight. Keep deadheading and plants will flower until the frosts.