Marigold

Basic Information

Seed Number

124

Seed Name

Marigold

Variety

Sparky Mix

Category

Flower

Plant Family

Asteraceae

Plant Type

French marigold mix (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

45–50 days to bloom

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 prolonged dry periods

Soil Preference

Average, well-drained garden soil; avoid excessive nitrogen

Minimum Container Size

1-2 gal

Plant Height

10-14 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. Sparky Mix remains compact and blooms through summer with regular deadheading.
Germination: Use standard marigold germination conditions of approximately 75-80°F. Cover seed about 1/4 inch deep.
Harvest: Deadhead regularly to encourage continued production of gold, orange, yellow, red and bicolored flowers.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to dry fully before collecting seed. As a mixed-color open-pollinated population, future seed may not reproduce the original color proportions.
Special Care: Sparky Mix is consistently described as a French marigold mix. Some retail databases contain conflicting botanical labeling, so Tagetes patula is used based on the open-pollinated French-marigold seed listing.
Research Source: Fedco Seeds — https://fedcoseeds.com/seeds/sparky-mix-french-marigold-5235 — Tagetes patula identity, open-pollinated status, 10-12 inch compact height and mixed flower colors
Research Source: Urban Farmer — https://www.ufseeds.com/product/sparky-mix-marigold-seeds/MASM.html — 45-day maturity, 14-inch height, full sun, container suitability and pollinator use
Research Source: Hoss Tools — https://growhoss.com/products/marigold-sparky-mix — French marigold classification and approximately 50-day maturity
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 temperature, sowing depth and 4-6 week indoor start
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]