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When to plant Marigolds in Lee County County,

Plant Marigolds in Lee County County from December 17 to January 7 in spring. Lee County County sits in USDA Zone 10b, with last frost around January 28 and first frost on December 19.

When to Plant Marigolds in Lee County, FL

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.

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.

At an elevation of 408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Marigolds during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Marigolds will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Marigolds root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Lee County, FL (Zone 10b) Year-round
325 days
Last Spring Frost January 28
325 growing days
First Fall Frost December 19

Lee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Marigolds Planting Timeline — Lee County, FL

Marigolds Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 31 Dec 31 – Jan 14
Transplant Outdoors December 17 Dec 17 – Dec 31
Direct Sow December 17 Dec 17 – Jan 7
Bloom February 11 Feb 11 – Sep 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 10b

📆 Growing Season

325 days in Lee County

Growing Tips for Lee 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 Lee County, FL?

Lee County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lee County, FL?

Lee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 19.

When should I plant Marigolds in Lee County County, ?

In Lee County County, , plant Marigolds after the last frost (around January 28) and before the first frost (around December 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lee County County, for Marigolds?

Lee County County sits in USDA Zone 10b. Marigolds grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Marigolds grow in Lee County County's climate?

Yes — Marigolds grows well in Lee County County's temperate climate. Lee County County averages a 326-day frost-free season, with last frost around January 28 and first frost around December 19.

🌱

Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 10b). 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 Lee County, FL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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