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When to plant Marigolds in Menominee County County,

In Menominee County County, Marigolds is a spring-only crop. Plant May 25–June 15 once soil hits 50°F.

When to Plant Marigolds in Menominee County, MI

Menominee County, Michigan Zone 5a June

June in the garden — Menominee County, Michigan

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost May 18
Avg. first frost October 1
Soil temp (4") 65°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.5 hrs
  1. Start marigolds under lights

    Your window is short. These crops want several weeks of indoor growth before they go outside.

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: marigolds

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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.

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Menominee County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Marigolds to ensure they mature before fall.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Menominee County, MI (Zone 5a) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1
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Menominee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Marigolds Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 18 🌸 Bloom: Jul 13 – Oct 5
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 6 Transplant: May 25 🌸 Bloom: Jul 20 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 18 Transplant: Jun 6 🌸 Bloom: Aug 1 – Oct 24

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 Menominee County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.0–7.2) is within Marigolds's preferred range (6.0–7.5).

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Menominee County is excellent for Marigolds — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.7%) — Marigolds will thrive.

How to Plant Marigolds

0.3"
Planting Depth
10"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Marigolds

3
successive plantings in your 136-day season

Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Marigolds Water Budget

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

Monthly Watering Guide for Marigolds

Marigolds 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 Marigolds Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 2.2" 4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 2.2" 4.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 2.2" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 2.2" 3.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 2.2" 2.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 2.2" 2.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Marigolds 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.

Marigolds needs ~780 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Excellent fit

Marigolds Planting Timeline — Menominee County, MI

Marigolds Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 6 Apr 6 – Apr 20
Transplant Outdoors May 25 May 25 – Jun 8
Direct Sow May 25 May 25 – Jun 15
Bloom July 20 Jul 20 – Oct 12

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

50–70 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

136 days in Menominee County

Growing Tips for Marigolds in Menominee County

Direct sow Marigolds outdoors after May 18 in Menominee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

General growing tips

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 Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 1.

When should I plant Marigolds in Menominee County County, ?

In Menominee County County, , plant Marigolds after the last frost (around May 18) and before the first frost (around October 1). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Menominee County County, for Marigolds?

Menominee County County sits in USDA Zone 5a. Marigolds grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Marigolds grow in Menominee County County's climate?

Yes — Marigolds grows well in Menominee County County's temperate climate. Menominee County County averages a 136-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 18 and first frost around October 1.

🌱

Your Menominee County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Menominee County (Zone 5a). 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 Menominee County, MI. 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.