FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Iowa

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 in Grinnell.

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
Des MoinesMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar RapidsMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
DavenportMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
Sioux CityMar 18 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
Iowa CityMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
WaterlooMar 16 – Mar 30May 4 – May 11
AmesMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
West Des MoinesMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
Council BluffsMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
DubuqueMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
AnkenyMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
UrbandaleMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
Cedar FallsMar 16 – Mar 30May 4 – May 11
MarionMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
BettendorfMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
MarshalltownMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
Mason CityMar 18 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
ClintonMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
BurlingtonMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Fort DodgeMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
OttumwaMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
MuscatineMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
JohnstonMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
CoralvilleMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
WaukeeMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
AltoonaMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
North LibertyMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
IndianolaMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
CliveMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
NewtonMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 45 Iowa cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Iowa cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Iowa?

In a typical Iowa location, start seeds indoors Mar 10 – Mar 24, then transplant outdoors Apr 28 – May 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 17 in Keokuk and as late as May 10 in Grinnell.

When is the last frost in Iowa?

The average last spring frost in Iowa ranges from April 10 in Keokuk to May 3 in Grinnell, 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 Iowa

When to plant marigolds in other states

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