Marigold

Basic Information

Seed Number

121

Seed Name

Marigold

Variety

French Dwarf

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

Dwarf French marigold (Tagetes patula)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Apr 1

Last Recommended Planting Date

Jul 15

Plantable Months

April, May, June, July

Indoor Start

Apr 1 – Apr 7

Direct Sow

May 6 – Jul 15

Transplant

May 12 – Jun 15

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

5 weeks

Transplant Weeks After Frost

1 weeks

Germination Days

4–7 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

75-80°F

Planting Depth

1/4 in

Plant Spacing

8-12 in

Row Spacing

12-18 in

Thin-To Spacing

8-12 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun

Water Needs

Moderate water; keep moist during establishment and water during extended dry periods

Soil Preference

Average, well-drained garden soil; avoid excessive fertilization

Minimum Container Size

1-2 gal

Plant Height

8-12 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Annual

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

No

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

Yes

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

No

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Direct sow after frost or start indoors
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: May 15 – Jul 15
Days to Harvest / Bloom: 45–60 days to bloom
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Some traditional use; mostly ornamental/pest support
Succession / Reusable Notes: Easy border flower and companion plant.
Zone 6B Notes: Deadhead for more blooms.
Companion Plants: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, beans, carrots, brassicas, basil
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Beans sometimes listed as mixed; avoid overcrowding
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Start indoors 4-6 weeks before May 5 or direct sow after frost. French dwarf marigolds flower throughout summer until frost with regular deadheading.
Germination: Cover seed lightly and maintain approximately 75-80°F for rapid germination.
Harvest: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to become fully brown and dry before removing the long narrow seeds. An unspecified French Dwarf seed line may not reproduce uniform colors if it is a mixture.
Special Care: The packet does not identify a specific French dwarf cultivar, so cultivar-specific maturity and exact flower color are not assigned.
Research Source: Ferry-Morse — https://ferrymorse.com/collections/marigold-seeds — commercial French dwarf marigold classification
Research Source: Johnny's Selected Seeds — https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/marigold/marigold-key-growing-information.html — 4-7 day germination, 75-80°F germination temperature, 4-6 week indoor start, 1/4-inch direct-sow depth, full sun and deadheading
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]