When to Plant Marigolds in Nebraska

In a typical Nebraska location, start seeds indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27, then transplant outdoors May 1 – May 8. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 22 in Elkhorn and as late as May 18 in Alliance.

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

City	Start indoors	Transplant
Omaha	Mar 7 – Mar 21	Apr 25 – May 2
Lincoln	Mar 13 – Mar 27	May 1 – May 8
Bellevue	Mar 6 – Mar 20	Apr 24 – May 1
Grand Island	Mar 12 – Mar 26	Apr 30 – May 7
Kearney	Mar 19 – Apr 2	May 7 – May 14
Fremont	Mar 12 – Mar 26	Apr 30 – May 7
Hastings	Mar 11 – Mar 25	Apr 29 – May 6
Norfolk	Mar 19 – Apr 2	May 7 – May 14
North Platte	Mar 22 – Apr 5	May 10 – May 17
Columbus	Mar 10 – Mar 24	Apr 28 – May 5
Papillion	Mar 6 – Mar 20	Apr 24 – May 1
La Vista	Mar 6 – Mar 20	Apr 24 – May 1
Scottsbluff	Mar 27 – Apr 10	May 15 – May 22
South Sioux City	Mar 18 – Apr 1	May 6 – May 13
Beatrice	Mar 13 – Mar 27	May 1 – May 8
Chalco	Mar 10 – Mar 24	Apr 28 – May 5
Lexington	Mar 15 – Mar 29	May 3 – May 10
Alliance	Mar 30 – Apr 13	May 18 – May 25
Gering	Mar 27 – Apr 10	May 15 – May 22
Elkhorn	Mar 4 – Mar 18	Apr 22 – Apr 29

Showing the 20 most populous of 20 Nebraska cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Nebraska cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Nebraska?

When is the last frost in Nebraska?

The average last spring frost in Nebraska ranges from April 15 in Elkhorn to May 11 in Alliance, 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 Nebraska

When to plant marigolds in other states