FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Ohio

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

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
ColumbusMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
ClevelandFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
CincinnatiMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
ToledoMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
AkronMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
DaytonMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
ParmaMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
CantonMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
YoungstownMar 20 – Apr 3May 8 – May 15
LorainMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
HamiltonMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
SpringfieldMar 14 – Mar 28May 2 – May 9
KetteringMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
ElyriaMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
LakewoodMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
Cuyahoga FallsMar 19 – Apr 2May 7 – May 14
MiddletownMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
NewarkMar 18 – Apr 1May 6 – May 13
EuclidFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
MentorMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
MansfieldMar 15 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
BeavercreekMar 7 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
DublinMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Cleveland HeightsFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
StrongsvilleMar 9 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
FairfieldMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
FindlayMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
WarrenMar 27 – Apr 10May 15 – May 22
LancasterMar 11 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
Grove CityMar 12 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7

Showing the 30 most populous of 203 Ohio cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Ohio cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Ohio?

In a typical Ohio location, start seeds indoors Mar 11 – Mar 25, then transplant outdoors Apr 29 – May 6. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Apr 15 in Cleveland and as late as May 15 in Girard.

When is the last frost in Ohio?

The average last spring frost in Ohio ranges from April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Girard, 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 Ohio

When to plant marigolds in other states

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