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Sweet Mace

Sweet Mace
Introduction
Mr. John Doe

Head Director

Description

Description: The genus Tagetes is classified in the sunflower family of Asteraceae. Pleasant to the eyes and wafts of licorice-anise from the blossoms of Sweet Mace are a great addition to our gardens. In fall, if the growing season is long enough, the tips of the stems bear clusters of 3/8-inch golden yellow-orange flowers. The flowers are hermaphroditic (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. The deciduous foliage (though there is an evergreen species) has greenish bronzy stems that the small, lance-shaped, glossy, green leaves attach to the plant’s upright growth habit. These this tender perennial bushy plants can grow 12-36 in. high. Sweet Mace still has medicinal uses in many countries. It is not related to French tarragon at all. This ancient herb has many common names: Tagetes lucida, Spanish Tarragon, Mexican Mint Marigold, Winter tarragon, Mint-scented marigold, Root beer plant, Mexican marigold mint, Yerba Anise, Pericon, Texas tarragon, Mexican’ tarragon, Cloud plant, Coronilla, Sweet marigold, and Spanish tarragon. “Mexican mint marigold” is the most common.
Optimal Time/Temperature for Germination:
Sweet Mace is not frost hardy. If going by seed, start indoors in late winter 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost date as germination takes up to 10 days. Later, transplant outside once temperatures have warmed to an ideal 75-80 F. Better growing zones are 8 to 11. North of hardiness Zone 8, it is often raised as an annual. Especially in the North, you may prefer to purchase young plants instead of raising them from seed. The plants are grown much as garden marigolds are, but from seed, they take much longer to flower–6 months compared to as little as 6 weeks for garden marigolds. It will grow easily in Zones 6 and 7, if mulched well in the fall. The plant expands into a small clump in the second year and can withstand temperatures as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit, provided it has 6 to 12 inches of straw mulch piled on after the first frost in the fall.
Optimal Soil Conditions:
These easy to grow plants thrive in areas with well- drained soil including sand. For a full, well-formed plant with many blossoms, place it in full sun as it likes summer heat. In a shady garden, it will grow leggy and bear few flowers. In warm regions, such as the Gulf Coast, the Mexican mint marigold is evergreen. In cooler climates, you may be able to bring them through the winter outdoors under a heavy mulch. Where winters are really severe, pot them up before the first frost and bring them inside until warm weather returns. Soil pH Preference is slightly acidic to neutral which is 6.1 to 7.5
Seed Planting Depth, Spacing and Procedure:
If sowing seeds outdoors, can place two weeks before last frost at 1/8″ Deep. Later, thin 8-12 in. apart. Space 2 to 3 ft. apart in prepared garden beds and mulch well. Grows well in containers too. Another method of propagation is by division in early spring, just when it begins to send up new growth. Keep the young divisions moist until they are established. Other gardeners will take 6 to 8 in. semi- hard cuttings from established plants in fall or early spring- strip off the lower leaves and stick the cuttings in the sand in semi-shade. Keep the soil moist and warm and mist cuttings occasionally. In two weeks, gently pull on a cutting. If you feel resistance, it is rooted and can be transplanted to a pot or to a protected spot in the garden. Lastly, if stems fall over and touch the ground, they will take root, causing plants to spread.
Best Companion Plants and Plants that Hinder:
Other vegetables that benefit from companion planting together are basil, broad, runner, and bush beans, citrus, eggplant, peas, and tomatoes. Flowers that benefit from being close are roses, zinnia, and sage.

Growing Instructions

Crop Maintenance

Moisture Requirements & Solutions:
Although this plant appreciates regular watering, it can withstand short droughts. Basically, 1″ of water per week is appropriate.
Weeding Needs & Solutions:
Mulch well to discourage weeds and maintain moisture levels. Weeds are naturally strong competitors and those weeds that can best compete al- ways tend to dominate is why you need to keep them away from young plants. Defining a weed is that they are plants that need to be controlled – a plant out of place and not intentionally sown, a plant growing where it is not wanted, a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.
Feeding Needs/Optimal Natural Fertilizers:
Sweet Mace is relatively easy to grow. It has no special fertilization needs. Scratch in about an inch or two of compost upon planting.
Pests, Diseases & Solutions:
The plant has no persistent insect pests (an occasional grasshopper will taste a leaf) and when in flower, butterflies visit. Otherwise, it’s mostly trouble-free of disease tendencies indoor or outdoor as well. Be sure to space properly to avoid fungal issues such as botrytis. If insects such as spider mites, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, slugs, or snails are an issue, treat with an insecticidal soap.
When to Harvest/Number of days to maturity:
Begin harvesting leaves 6 to 8 weeks after transplanting outside. For best flavor, harvest in the morning when aromatic oils are at their flavorful peak.
How to Harvest:
Remove spent flowers to prolong blooming period. Mature leaves are not significantly tougher or more bitter or less fragrant than the young, tender ones. The leaves may cause skin irritation so wear gloves and other protective covering when handling. Harvest the leaves before the plant blooms in the fall. You can harvest small amounts of the leaves throughout the growing season. New leaves will grow back to replace them. In the fall, you can up-root the entire plant and hang it to dry for use during the winter.
Optimal Storage temperature and conditions:
Leaves are best when used fresh but may be dried and stored. To dry, tie cuttings in small bundles and hang upside down in a well-ventilated, dark room. When completely dry, remove the leaves from all stems and keep whole for storage. Crush or grind just before use.
Optimal Preserving Procedures:
Seed Saving:
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect the seeds; properly clean; then seed can be successfully stored.

Harvest and Storage

Notes

Sweet Mace is a darling of many renowned Southwestern chefs, some even make a pesto from it. Mexican tarragon is more delicate and should be added at the end of the cooking time. Its best flavor is from the fresh leaves, chopped and used in dishes such as chicken salad or tossed green salads. More variety of uses are as tea or a chocolate alternative. Plant it along sidewalks and walkways as a fragrant low hedge. Mix it with other herbs and flowers in a sunny niche in a cottage garden or plant it in among rocks around a shallow pool, where its bright blooms will be reflected in the water. The flowers will attract bees and butterflies to the oasis. The dried leaves are often used in crafts like making potpourris and sachets. Harvest the long stems just before frost when they are tipped with yellow- gold flowers. While they’re still green and pliable, weave them together in groups of six or nine as you would braid hair, then tie the two ends of each group together to form a circle. Dried leaves can be re- moved as needed for cooking. If the wreaths are made small and interwoven with other herbs, they can be tossed whole into a soup or stew as a bouquet garni. The flowers add long-lasting color to dried arrangements and bouquets. They are attractive combined with sweet Annie, broom, and goldenrod in harvest centerpieces, or bundle the stems with natural-colored raffia for fragrant hang-ups that add a warm ambiance to any room. For a change of pace and scale, clip the stems short and make miniature bouquets in tiny vases. As with other marigolds, Mexican mint marigold looks good and lasts well in fresh small flower arrangements as well. In the humid South, where French tarragon is difficult to grow, Sweet Mace is a fine culinary substitute instead of Tarragon. Try your favorite brownie recipe and add 3 tablespoons of freshly chopped Mexican Mint Marigold leaves. You may be surprised how well the herb blends with chocolate. Yellow dye can also be obtained from the flowers, and when the plant is dried and burnt, it is used as an incense and can repel insects.

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