When to Plant Calendula in USDA Zone 10b
Your June planting checklist for Zone 10b
Welcome to June in Zone 10b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Survive, don't thrive
June-August is endurance gardening. Keep okra, peppers, sweet potatoes, and southern peas alive. Harvest everything daily before the heat damages produce on the vine.
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Start fall tomato seeds indoors
Yes, indoors — under lights or in AC. They'll be ready to transplant in August when temperatures briefly moderate.
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Add compost to empty beds
Empty beds get a thick layer of compost + mulch to suppress weeds and feed the soil for fall planting.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a cheerful, edible-flowered cool-season annual valued by herbalists, chefs, and gardeners alike. Its golden-orange petals are used in salves, teas, and as a saffron substitute. Hardy enough to tolerate light frosts, it blooms prolifically in spring and fall, taking a pause during the hottest weeks of summer.
In Zone 10b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Calendula Planting Timeline — Zone 10b
Where Is USDA Zone 10b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 10b. Click any state to see the Calendula planting schedule for that location.
Calendula Planting Calendar — Zone 10b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Transplant Outdoors | November 13 | Nov 13 – Nov 27 |
| Direct Sow | October 16 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Bloom | December 25 | Dec 25 – Apr 2 |
| Fall Sowing | September 24 | Sep 24 – Oct 8 |
Plant 0.3" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Bloom |
| February | Bloom |
| March | Bloom |
| April | Bloom |
| May | — |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | Fall Sowing |
| October | Direct Sow Fall Sowing |
| November | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| December | Bloom |
Free Zone 10b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 10b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
50–70 days
Soil pH
5.5 – 7
Zone Temperature Range
35°F to 40°F average annual minimum
Growing Season
365 days (Zone 10b average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 0.3 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 9 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 12 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Calendula in Zone 10b
Sow every 5.7 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Calendula in Zone 10b
Zone 10b offers a long growing season (~365 days). You can plant Calendula earlier and may get multiple harvests.
Direct-sow in early spring as soon as soil can be worked — seeds germinate in cool soil (50-65°F). In zones 7+, also sow in fall for winter/spring bloom. Deadhead consistently to extend bloom. Plants self-seed readily; save a few spent heads and allow them to drop. Harvest petals when flowers are fully open for best flavor and medicinal value.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
- Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners
Saving Calendula Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Reduce heat stress and sun scorch in hot climates with UV-stabilized shade cloth.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Related Plants
Calendula in Other Zones
Calendula by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Calendula in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, plan your Calendula planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Direct sow outdoors around October 16. Transplant seedlings around November 13.
Can Calendula grow in Zone 10b?
Yes, Calendula can grow well in Zone 10b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 10b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Calendula (50-70 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Calendula in Zone 10b?
In Zone 10b, expect to harvest Calendula from December 25 – April 2. Calendula takes 50-70 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 10b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 10b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Calendula?
Good companion plants for Calendula include Tomatoes, Carrots, Asparagus, Beans. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Zone 10b Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner tailored to Zone 10b. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.