FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

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
NashvilleFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
New South MemphisFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
MemphisFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
KnoxvilleFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
ChattanoogaFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
ClarksvilleFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
MurfreesboroFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
East ChattanoogaFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
FranklinFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
CordovaFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
Johnson CityMar 8 – Mar 22Apr 26 – May 3
BartlettFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
HendersonvilleFeb 28 – Mar 14Apr 18 – Apr 25
KingsportFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
ColliervilleFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
SmyrnaMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrentwoodMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
GermantownFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
HermitageFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
ColumbiaFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Spring HillFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
La VergneMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
GallatinMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
CookevilleMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
Mount JulietFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
LebanonFeb 23 – Mar 9Apr 13 – Apr 20
MorristownFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
Oak RidgeFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, 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 Tennessee

When to plant marigolds in other states

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