When to Plant Marigolds in Kansas

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Kansas City and as late as May 5 in Garden City.

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
WichitaFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
Overland ParkFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Kansas CityFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
OlatheFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
TopekaMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
LawrenceMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
ShawneeFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
ManhattanMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
LenexaFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
SalinaMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
HutchinsonMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
LeavenworthMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
LeawoodFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Dodge CityMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
Garden CityMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
EmporiaMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Junction CityMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
DerbyMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
Prairie VillageFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
HaysMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
GardnerMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
LiberalMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
PittsburgFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
NewtonMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
Great BendMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
McPhersonMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
El DoradoMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
AndoverFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
OttawaMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
WinfieldMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30

Showing the 30 most populous of 40 Kansas cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kansas cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Kansas?

In a typical Kansas location, start seeds indoors Mar 2 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Kansas City and as late as May 5 in Garden City.

When is the last frost in Kansas?

The average last spring frost in Kansas ranges from April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City, 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 Kansas

When to plant marigolds in other states

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