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When to plant Marigolds in Crow Wing County, MN

The best window to plant Marigolds in Crow Wing County, is May 19–June 9, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits May 5; first frost October 3.

When to Plant Marigolds in Crow Wing County, MN

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.

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 783 feet, Crow Wing County receives approximately 33.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 78°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
Crow Wing County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 5
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Crow Wing County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Marigolds Planting Timeline — Crow Wing County, MN

Marigolds Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 24 Mar 24 – Apr 7
Transplant Outdoors May 19 May 19 – Jun 2
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 – Jun 9
Bloom July 14 Jul 14 – Sep 29

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 Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
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 4a

📆 Growing Season

151 days in Crow Wing County

Growing Tips for Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 5. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Crow Wing County, MN?

Crow Wing County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Marigolds in Crow Wing County, MN?

In Crow Wing County, MN, plant Marigolds after the last frost (around May 5) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Crow Wing County, MN for Marigolds?

Crow Wing County sits in USDA Zone 4a. Marigolds grows reliably in zones 2a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Marigolds grow in Crow Wing County's climate?

Yes — Marigolds grows well in Crow Wing County's temperate climate. Crow Wing County averages a 151-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 5 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Crow Wing County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Crow Wing County (Zone 4a). 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 Crow Wing County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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