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When to Plant Marigolds in Coke County, TX

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.

Coke County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 3,031 feet, Coke County receives approximately 52.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Marigolds may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Marigolds will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Marigolds root diseases.

Annual Blooms in Multi-season Pollinator-friendly Deer-resistant Good for cutting Fragrant
Coke County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 24
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Coke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Marigolds Planting Timeline — Coke County, TX

Marigolds Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 – Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors March 17 Mar 17 – Mar 31
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 – Apr 7
Bloom May 12 May 12 – Sep 15

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Bloom
June Bloom
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

233 days in Coke County

Growing Tips for Coke 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 Coke County, TX?

Coke County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 24. Plan your Marigolds planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Coke County, TX?

Coke County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 24 and first fall frost is November 12.

🌱

Your Coke County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Coke County (Zone 8a). 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 Coke County, TX. 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.