When should I plant my seeds?

I want to start small marigolds inside. When should I start them? I live in CT and don't usually start planting outside until Mother's Day. I don't want them to outgrow their pots before I'm able to transplant outside. The pots I'm using are the same ones you buy a six or eight pack of flowers in (small)

When should I plant my seeds?
If you want to start them early in the pots you discribed I'd sow them around April 15 - 22nd. That will give them time to germinate and grow to a size that will make it safe to transplant them by May 13th (Mother's Day).


You can plant earlier if you have adequate lighting and a good plant food (deluted). Compost tea would be great.


Be sure to harden off before putting them outside


Marigolds on the other hand do really well by sowing directly in the garden. If you are not in a hurry for blooms I think you'll be happy with direct sow.
Reply:About 3 weeks before you plan on planting them outside should be good
Reply:3 weeks to a month before the "all danger of frost is past" date. Be sure to harden them off by setting them out in the sun on warm and pretty days well before you put them out. The more time they spend outdoors before going into the ground, the sturdier they will be. Don't just keep them inside, they'll get skinny and tall and just keel over when you put them out.
Reply:I would wait until the first part of April. Make sure you provide a lot of light for them so they won't grow long and leggy.
Reply:this being march, you would be safe to start indoors now. even before mothers day you can gradually introduce them outdoors. bring them in of course weather permitting. and then by mothers day they would be ready to stay outside. just cover during frost though.
Reply:Try spring.