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When to plant Calendula in Ware County County,

For Ware County County, gardeners: plant Calendula January 7 through January 28 once soil reads 50°F. A second sowing from August 30 to September 13 extends the harvest into fall.

When to Plant Calendula in Ware County, GA

Ware County, Georgia Zone 9a June

June in Ware County, Georgia — your action list

June is a pivotal month for Ware County, Georgia gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost March 4
Avg. first frost November 22
Soil temp (4") 82°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Collect calendula at their peak

    Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.

July will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: calendula

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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.

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and the first fall frost is November 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 263 days.

At an elevation of 482 feet, Ware County receives approximately 56.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Calendula may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Calendula, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Calendula root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Ware County, GA (Zone 9a) Long season
263 days
Last Spring Frost March 4
263 growing days
First Fall Frost November 22

Ware County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Calendula Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 23 🌸 Bloom: Mar 6 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (123 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 4 🌸 Bloom: Mar 18 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 24 🌸 Bloom: Apr 7 – Aug 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Ware County

How your county's soil matches Calendula's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3–6.6) overlaps with Calendula's range (5.5–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Ware County is excellent for Calendula — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Calendula.

How to Plant Calendula

0.3"
Planting Depth
9"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Fall planting: Sow 12 weeks before your first frost date for a fall harvest.

Succession Planting Calendula

6
successive plantings in your 263-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 13 to harvest before frost.

For a dedicated fall crop, sow by Aug 30.

Calendula Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Calendula

Calendula needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Calendula Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 2.2" 3.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 2.2" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 5.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 5.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.2" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ware County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Calendula Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Calendula needs ~1,275 GDD — county provides 5,588 GDD Excellent fit

Calendula Planting Timeline — Ware County, GA

Calendula Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Direct Sow January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 28
Bloom March 18 Mar 18 – Jul 22
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13

Plant 0.3" deep · 9" apart · Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

263 days in Ware County

Growing Tips for Calendula in Ware County

Direct sow Calendula outdoors after March 04 in Ware County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Ware County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Calendula. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Calendula in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Calendula in Ware County, GA?

Ware County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 4. Plan your Calendula planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ware County, GA?

Ware County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 4 and first fall frost is November 22.

When should I plant Calendula in Ware County County, ?

In Ware County County, , plant Calendula after the last frost (around March 4) and before the first frost (around November 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ware County County, for Calendula?

Ware County County sits in USDA Zone 9a. Calendula grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Calendula grow in Ware County County's climate?

Yes — Calendula grows well in Ware County County's temperate climate. Ware County County averages a 263-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 4 and first frost around November 22.

🌱

Your Ware County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ware County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Ware County, GA. 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.