FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Massachusetts

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 28, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

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
BostonFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
WorcesterMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
SpringfieldMar 22 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
LowellMar 19 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
CambridgeFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
New BedfordFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
DorchesterMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
BrocktonMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Fall RiverFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
QuincyMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
LynnMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
NewtonMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
SomervilleFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
LawrenceMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
FraminghamMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
Framingham CenterMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
WalthamMar 17 – Mar 31May 5 – May 12
HaverhillMar 20 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
MaldenFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
BrooklineMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
MedfordFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
TauntonMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
ChicopeeMar 22 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
North ChicopeeMar 22 – Apr 5May 10 – May 17
WeymouthMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
RevereFeb 21 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
PeabodyMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
MethuenMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
South PeabodyMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
BarnstableMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6

Showing the 30 most populous of 183 Massachusetts cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Massachusetts cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Massachusetts?

In a typical Massachusetts location, start seeds indoors Mar 14 – Mar 28, then transplant outdoors May 2 – May 9. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 11 in Boston and as late as May 17 in North Adams.

When is the last frost in Massachusetts?

The average last spring frost in Massachusetts ranges from April 4 in Boston to May 10 in North Adams, 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 Massachusetts

When to plant marigolds in other states

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