When And How To Plant Marigold Seeds | Gardener's Path

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When to Sow Outdoors

Marigolds are tender annuals, which means they are not at all cold hardy and will be damaged or killed by frost.

That’s why these plants smell like summer – and not spring.

A close up of an orange marigold covered with a light dusting of frost, pictured on a green soft focus background.

While mature marigolds may be able to tolerate just a tiny amount of frost, young seedlings are generally more sensitive and it’s better not to risk exposure to the cold.

If you decide to sow directly into your garden soil, plan on doing this about a week or two after your last average frost date.

A top down close up picture showing long, thin marigold seeds placed on the surface of the soil.
Photo by Kristina Hicks-Hamblin.

That way, once your marigolds germinate, the risk of late frosts will likely already have passed.

How to Sow Outdoors

When you’re ready to sow, first choose a full sun location in your garden.

These annual flowers can tolerate some shade, particularly if your summers are really hot. However, flowers will develop more striking colors if they are planted in full sun.

A garden border filled with bright red and orange marigolds, with a stone wall in the background, pictured in bright sunshine.

When considering where to plant your marigolds, be aware that these plants need to grow in soil that drains well.

If you’re dealing with heavy clay, mix in some compost to help with drainage. Alternatively, sow your seeds in raised beds.

A raised garden bed, with rows of edible crops interplanted with bright orange marigolds.

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