Blog

When to plant Marigolds in Bent County, CO

Plant Marigolds in Bent County from May 6 to May 27 in spring. Bent County sits in USDA Zone 6a, with last frost around April 29 and first frost on October 9.

When to Plant Marigolds in Bent County, CO

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.

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 163 days.

At an elevation of 4,516 feet, Bent County receives approximately 12.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Marigolds during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Marigolds successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Bent County, CO (Zone 6a) Moderate season
163 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
163 growing days
First Fall Frost October 9

Bent County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Marigolds Planting Timeline — Bent County, CO

Marigolds Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Transplant Outdoors May 6 May 6 – May 20
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Bloom July 1 Jul 1 – Sep 30

Plant 0.3" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Start Indoors
April Start Indoors
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June
July Bloom
August Bloom
September Bloom
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Low — drought tolerant

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

163 days in Bent County

Growing Tips for Bent County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Beans
  • Cabbage

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Marigolds Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Let flower heads dry on plant. Pull dried petals to reveal seeds.
Storage Store in envelopes; viable 3 years at 35°F, under 50% humidity.

Very easy to save. Seeds are the long, thin, dark pieces inside the dried flower head.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Marigolds in Bent County, CO?

Bent County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bent County, CO?

Bent County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 9.

When should I plant Marigolds in Bent County, CO?

In Bent County, CO, plant Marigolds after the last frost (around April 29) and before the first frost (around October 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Bent County, CO for Marigolds?

Bent County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Marigolds grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Marigolds grow in Bent County's climate?

Yes — Marigolds grows well in Bent County's temperate climate. Bent County averages a 163-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 29 and first frost around October 9.

🌱

Your Bent County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Bent County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Bent County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.