When to plant marigold
Flower, tender
Wisconsin says start seed about 8 weeks before transplanting, and transplant only after frost danger has passed, or direct-sow once soil is above 65°F. Penn State lists French and African marigolds as tender annuals. No days-to-bloom figure was on the pages opened.
The general rule
- Start indoors
- 8 weeks before the last spring frost
- Transplant outdoors
- at the last spring frost
- Plant when soil reaches
- 65°F
- 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.
| City | Last frost · safer | Start indoors | Transplant outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | Jan 23 | Nov 28 – Nov 28 | Jan 23 – Jan 23 |
| Tucson, AZ | Mar 2 | Jan 5 – Jan 5 | Mar 2 – Mar 2 |
| Portland, OR | Mar 21 | Jan 24 – Jan 24 | Mar 21 – Mar 21 |
| Baltimore, MD | Apr 4 | Feb 7 – Feb 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 4 |
| New York, NY | Apr 12 | Feb 15 – Feb 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 12 |
| Nashville, TN | Apr 16 | Feb 19 – Feb 19 | Apr 16 – Apr 16 |
| Louisville, KY | Apr 23 | Feb 26 – Feb 26 | Apr 23 – Apr 23 |
| Omaha, NE | May 6 | Mar 11 – Mar 11 | May 6 – May 6 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | May 15 | Mar 20 – Mar 20 | May 15 – May 15 |
| Miami, FL | Frost rare | Frost is rare: late winter to spring; late summer to fall (soil 65°F+). | |