FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in California

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 5 – Dec 19, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

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
Los AngelesFrost-free: year-round planting
San DiegoFrost-free: year-round planting
San JoseNov 21 – Dec 5Jan 9 – Jan 16
San FranciscoFrost-free: year-round planting
FresnoDec 3 – Dec 17Jan 21 – Jan 28
SacramentoDec 1 – Dec 15Jan 19 – Jan 26
Long BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
OaklandFrost-free: year-round planting
BakersfieldDec 20 – Jan 3Feb 7 – Feb 14
AnaheimFrost-free: year-round planting
RiversideNov 28 – Dec 12Jan 16 – Jan 23
Santa AnaFrost-free: year-round planting
StocktonDec 25 – Jan 8Feb 12 – Feb 19
Chula VistaFrost-free: year-round planting
IrvineFrost-free: year-round planting
FremontNov 26 – Dec 10Jan 14 – Jan 21
San BernardinoDec 16 – Dec 30Feb 3 – Feb 10
FontanaNov 29 – Dec 13Jan 17 – Jan 24
ModestoDec 20 – Jan 3Feb 7 – Feb 14
OxnardFrost-free: year-round planting
Moreno ValleyDec 16 – Dec 30Feb 3 – Feb 10
Huntington BeachFrost-free: year-round planting
GlendaleNov 21 – Dec 5Jan 9 – Jan 16
Santa ClaritaNov 27 – Dec 11Jan 15 – Jan 22
Santa RosaJan 14 – Jan 28Mar 4 – Mar 11
OceansideFrost-free: year-round planting
Garden GroveFrost-free: year-round planting
Rancho CucamongaNov 23 – Dec 7Jan 11 – Jan 18
OntarioNov 23 – Dec 7Jan 11 – Jan 18
Elk GroveDec 22 – Jan 5Feb 9 – Feb 16

Showing the 30 most populous of 530 California cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all California cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in California?

In a typical California location, start seeds indoors Dec 5 – Dec 19, then transplant outdoors Jan 23 – Jan 30. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Jan 5 in San Mateo and as late as Jun 3 in Big Bear City. 103 cities in California are essentially frost-free and can plant on a year-round schedule.

When is the last frost in California?

The average last spring frost in California ranges from January 1 in Palm Springs to December 31 in Sunland, 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 California

When to plant marigolds in other states

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