FrostCal

When to Plant Marigolds in Virginia

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

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
Virginia BeachFeb 15 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
NorfolkFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
ChesapeakeFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
RichmondFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
ArlingtonFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Newport NewsFeb 2 – Feb 16Mar 23 – Mar 30
AlexandriaFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
East HamptonFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
HamptonFeb 10 – Feb 24Mar 31 – Apr 7
RoanokeFeb 20 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
Portsmouth HeightsFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
PortsmouthFeb 9 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
SuffolkFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
South SuffolkFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 3 – Apr 10
LynchburgMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
CentrevilleMar 4 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Dale CityFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
West LynchburgMar 6 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
RestonMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28
HarrisonburgMar 10 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
LeesburgMar 5 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
McLeanFeb 26 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
CharlottesvilleFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
TuckahoeFeb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
BlacksburgMar 13 – Mar 27May 1 – May 8
AshburnMar 2 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
DanvilleFeb 25 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
ManassasMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
Lake RidgeMar 1 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26
BurkeMar 3 – Mar 17Apr 21 – Apr 28

Showing the 30 most populous of 118 Virginia cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Virginia cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant marigolds in Virginia?

In a typical Virginia location, start seeds indoors Feb 28 – Mar 14, then transplant outdoors Apr 18 – Apr 25. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in Newport News and as late as May 3 in Radford.

When is the last frost in Virginia?

The average last spring frost in Virginia ranges from March 16 in Newport News to April 26 in Radford, 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 Virginia

When to plant marigolds in other states

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