Edible flowers
French marigold
Bright flowers; use petals as food only from identified edible, unsprayed cultivars.
Sowing & planting windows in Australia
Planting timing varies by broad Australian gardening zone. Local weather, unusual seasons and your garden’s microclimate can shift timing.
Cool
Sow · Sep–Dec
Core months: September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, March, April, May, August
Temperate
Sow · Sep–Dec
Core months: September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, March, July, August
Subtropical
Sow · Jan–Feb, Jul–Dec
Core months: January, February, July, August, September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: March, April, May, June
Tropical
Sow · Mar–Oct
Core months: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Possible / shoulder months: January, February, November, December
Arid
Sow · Jan–Feb, Sep–Dec
Core months: January, February, September, October, November, December
Possible / shoulder months: March, July, August
Getting started
Sow directly where plants will grow; thin seedlings to the spacing needed at maturity.
The right conditions
Choose full sun, fertile free-draining soil and reliable moisture.
As it grows
Water consistently while establishing, keep weeds down and provide support where the mature habit needs it. Watch for local pests and remove damaged growth.
Ready to harvest
If grown for food, use only correctly identified, unsprayed edible cultivars and take clean petals from newly opened flowers.
Plant guidance: Desk-reviewed; not field-tested. Planting windows are a guide rather than a rule.