FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Kentucky

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

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
LouisvilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
LexingtonMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
Lexington-FayetteMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
MeadsMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Bowling GreenFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
OwensboroFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
CovingtonMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
RichmondMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
GeorgetownMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
FlorenceMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
HopkinsvilleFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
NicholasvilleFeb 24 – Mar 10Apr 14 – Apr 21
ElizabethtownMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
HendersonFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
FrankfortMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
JeffersontownFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
IndependenceMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
PaducahFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
Valley StationFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
RadcliffMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
AshlandMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
NewburgFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
MadisonvilleFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
MurrayFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
ErlangerMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
WinchesterMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
Fern CreekFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
Saint MatthewsFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
OkolonaFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
DanvilleFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23

Showing the 30 most populous of 52 Kentucky cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Kentucky cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Kentucky?

In a typical Kentucky location, start seeds indoors Mar 1 – Mar 15, then transplant outdoors Apr 19 – Apr 26. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 7 in Louisville and as late as May 8 in Shelbyville.

When is the last frost in Kentucky?

The average last spring frost in Kentucky ranges from March 31 in Louisville to May 1 in Shelbyville, 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 Kentucky

When to plant marigolds in other states

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