When to Plant Marigolds in Comanche County, OK
This month in Comanche County, Oklahoma
Each item below is timed to Comanche County, Oklahoma's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
June prep starts now
- First harvests: marigolds
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.
Comanche County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.
At an elevation of 637 feet, Comanche County receives approximately 33.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Marigolds during the growing season.
Comanche County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.7-7.8
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
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 Comanche County
How your county's soil matches Marigolds's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.7–7.8) overlaps with Marigolds's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Comanche County is excellent for Marigolds — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.5%). Annual compost additions will help Marigolds.
How to Plant Marigolds
Succession Planting Marigolds
Sow every 5.7 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 26 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2" | 0.2" | 💧 Light watering |
| Nov | 2.2" | 1.2" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Comanche 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 Planting Timeline — Comanche County, OK
Marigolds Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | May 18 | May 18 – Jun 1 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Direct Sow | April 6 | Apr 6 – Apr 27 |
| Harvest | June 1 | Jun 1 – Sep 21 |
Plant 0.3" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | — |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | Start Indoors |
| June | Start Indoors Harvest |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| 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 6–7.5 · Your soil: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
212 days in Comanche County
Growing Tips for Marigolds in Comanche County
Direct sow Marigolds outdoors after April 06 in Comanche 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Very easy to save. Seeds are the long, thin, dark pieces inside the dried flower head.
Marigolds in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Marigolds in Comanche County, OK?
Comanche County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Comanche County, OK?
Comanche County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 4.
Your Comanche County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Comanche County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.