Marigolds are like that old friend you see in every classic cottage garden. Because they’re so common, it’s easy to assume they’re native plants that can handle our unpredictable weather with ease. But here’s the plot twist: they’re actually frost-sensitive immigrants! Straying from the ideal planting window can be a risky move for these golden beauties.
Don’t let early spring fever get the best of you
We’ve all been there—those first few sunny days of early spring arrive, and suddenly the garden centers are packed with blooming flowers. It’s tempting to grab a shovel immediately, but don’t let the weather (or the retail displays) fool you. Marigolds, often called *Tagetes*, hail from the sunny warmth of Mexico. They haven’t lost their love for the heat, which means they are definitely not hardy.
Even if you see roots peeking out of the bottom of those nursery pots, hold steady. Your marigolds won’t be safe in the garden bed or on the balcony until the threat of frost has completely passed.
- Wait until mid-May to plant marigolds outdoors.
- This goes for container gardens, too—don’t move them outside permanently until then.
Pro Tip:
If you want to keep things simple and sow your seeds directly into the ground, you can get started in late April.
Keep young plants cozy indoors for now
You might find yourself with a few marigolds on your hands before the “Ice Saints” (the traditional final frost days in May) have passed. Maybe you’ve successfully overwintered an edible variety, or you just couldn’t resist a great sale at the store.
If you enjoy starting seeds indoors, which you can do as early as late February, you’ll definitely have young plants ready while it’s still freezing outside. These little guys need to stay indoors until the timing is just right! If they start their blooming season on your windowsill, that’s perfectly fine.
Before you buy or sow, just make sure you have enough space to give these plants a warm home for several weeks.
Can you push the envelope on planting time?
If the 10-day forecast in early May looks like nothing but sunshine and warm nights, you might be tempted to gamble and move them to their permanent location. Just keep in mind that you’re only gaining a week or two at most, and long-range forecasts can be notoriously fickle.
You can be a bit bolder with potted marigolds. Feel free to set them out on nice days, as long as you’re ready to hustle them back inside if the temperature drops. If you go this route, you’ll need to be a weather-app hawk—keep a very close eye on those overnight lows!
