FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Alabama

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 45–60 days

Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.

Marigolds Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
HuntsvilleFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
BirminghamFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
MontgomeryJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 20 – Mar 27
MobileJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 28 – Mar 7
TuscaloosaFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 25 – Apr 1
HooverFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
DothanJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 8 – Mar 15
AuburnJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 20 – Mar 27
DecaturFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
MadisonFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
FlorenceFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
Phenix CityJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 12 – Mar 19
GadsdenFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
East FlorenceFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
PrattvilleJan 30 – Feb 13Mar 20 – Mar 27
Vestavia HillsFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
AlabasterFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
OpelikaFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
EnterpriseJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 16 – Mar 23
BessemerFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
HomewoodFeb 7 – Feb 21Mar 28 – Apr 4
AthensFeb 6 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
DaphneFeb 1 – Feb 15Mar 22 – Mar 29
NorthportFeb 4 – Feb 18Mar 25 – Apr 1
DixianaFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
PelhamFeb 5 – Feb 19Mar 26 – Apr 2
PrichardJan 10 – Jan 24Feb 28 – Mar 7
AnnistonFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
AlbertvilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Mar 24 – Mar 31
OxfordFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 72 Alabama cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Alabama cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Alabama?

In a typical Alabama location, start seeds indoors Feb 7 – Feb 21, then transplant outdoors Mar 28 – Apr 4. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 28 in Mobile and as late as Apr 13 in Jacksonville.

When is the last frost in Alabama?

The average last spring frost in Alabama ranges from February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do marigolds take to grow?

Marigolds typically take 45–60 days from planting to harvest. Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.

Other Crops in Alabama

When to plant marigolds in other states

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