Best Marigold Variety for Pest Control and Pollinator Attraction?

To really mix things up, consider planting a variety of flowers and crops for biodiversity. The healthier your plants, the better they'll resist pests! And since you're doing no-dig beds, your soil should be in great shape.

For your needs, French marigolds are the way to go! They act as a sacrificial crop, drawing pests away from your other plants. Just make sure to plant them abundantly. They're easy to identify—French marigolds are much shorter and have a different flower shape compared to African marigolds, which grow really tall with globe-shaped flowers. Just let the pests hang out on the marigolds; they're not harmful as long as they stay away from your main crops. Good luck with your garden! :)

Honestly, no plant is a foolproof pest repellent, which is a bit of a myth in gardening. So, I’d say pick any local plant that attracts pollinators. Some folks swear by setting up sacrificial plants elsewhere in the garden instead of right next to your main crops. Focus on attracting those pollinators for fruits, especially with that full sun and sturdy clay soil you're dealing with!

I recommend trying Strawberry Blonde and Fireball Marigolds! I've had great success with these—they're beautiful, easy to grow, and don't take up too much space, which is perfect for raised beds. Plus, they pair nicely with tomatoes and peppers!