When to Plant Marigolds in Venango County, PA
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.
Venango County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 166 days.
At an elevation of 1,166 feet, Venango County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Marigolds during the growing season.
Venango County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Marigolds Planting Timeline — Venango County, PA
Marigolds Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 12 | May 12 – May 26 |
| Direct Sow | May 12 | May 12 – Jun 2 |
| Bloom | July 7 | Jul 7 – Oct 6 |
Plant 0.3" deep · 10" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Direct Sow |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| 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 6a
📆 Growing Season
166 days in Venango County
Growing Tips for Venango 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
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 Venango County, PA?
Venango County is in Zone 6a 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 Venango County, PA?
Venango County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 5 and first fall frost is October 18.
Your Venango County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Venango County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.