When to Plant Marigolds in Washington
Marigolds (Tagetes patula) are warm-season annuals beloved for their cheerful orange, yellow, and red blooms — and for their well-documented ability to repel pest nematodes in vegetable beds. Easy from seed, drought-tolerant once established, and bloom from early summer until the first hard frost.
Washington spans USDA hardiness zones 7a, 9a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.
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Click your county for exact Marigolds planting dates based on your local frost dates.
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Marigolds Planting Calendar for Washington
▸ Zone 7a ~221 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: March 25 · First frost: November 1 · 221 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 6 | May 6 – May 20 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 |
| Direct Sow | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 15 |
| Harvest | May 20 | May 20 – Aug 26 |
▸ Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →
Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 27 | Jan 27 – Feb 10 |
| Direct Sow | January 27 | Jan 27 – Feb 17 |
| Harvest | March 24 | Mar 24 – Aug 25 |
Growing Tips for Washington
Direct-sow after last frost or start indoors 4-6 weeks earlier. Deadhead spent blooms to keep new flowers coming. French marigolds (T. patula) are the most reliable nematode repellents — plant a band around vegetable beds. Tolerate poor soil but bloom best with monthly compost.
Marigolds in Other States
- 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
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Marigolds in Washington?
Planting dates for Marigolds in Washington depend on your USDA zone. Washington spans zones 7a, 9a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.
What zone is Washington for planting?
Washington contains USDA hardiness zones 7a, 9a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.