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SowingDates

When to plant calendula

Flower, half hardy

Wisconsin says sow outdoors just before the last frost, or start indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost for earlier bloom. Flowers continue until the first heavy frost. The page does not use the word hardy or tender, so half-hardy here follows that frost-edge timing.

The general rule

Start indoors
6–8 weeks before the last spring frost
Sow outdoors
0–1 week before the last spring frost
Days to maturity
Varies by variety

What that means in different climates

The same rule applied to the safer frost dates of cities from cold to frost-free.

Calendula planting dates in example cities
CityLast frost · saferStart indoorsSow outdoors
San Jose, CAJan 23Nov 28 – Dec 12Jan 16 – Jan 23
Tucson, AZMar 2Jan 5 – Jan 19Feb 23 – Mar 2
Portland, ORMar 21Jan 24 – Feb 7Mar 14 – Mar 21
Baltimore, MDApr 4Feb 7 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
New York, NYApr 12Feb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
Nashville, TNApr 16Feb 19 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
Louisville, KYApr 23Feb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Omaha, NEMay 6Mar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Colorado Springs, COMay 15Mar 20 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
Miami, FLFrost rareFrost is rare: fall and winter.

Sources