When to plant sunflower in zone 7a — planting calendar

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Showing USDA Zone 7A

Growing SeasonZone 7a

Last frost ~Apr 15First frost ~Oct 25Today

Start indoorsTransplant / sowHarvestFrost risk

APRMAYJUNJUL

Sow Apr 15 · First harvest Jun 14 · Wrap by Jul 12

Last spring frostApr 15

Direct sowApr 15

First harvestJun 14

Last harvestJul 12

First fall frostOct 25

Why these dates work in zone 7a

Zone 7a's last spring frost averages Apr 15 and first fall frost Oct 25 — about 193 frost-free days. Sunflower is frost-sensitive, so the around last frost timing builds in a safety margin against a late cold snap — setting plants out too early risks losing them to frost.

Common questions

How long does sunflower take to grow in zone 7a?

Sunflower matures in about 60–100 days from sowing. In zone 7a that means sowing around Apr 15 and first picking around Jun 14.

Will sunflower survive frost in zone 7a?

No — sunflower is frost-sensitive. In zone 7a, wait until after the last frost (around Apr 15) to plant, and harvest before the first fall frost (around Oct 25).

For soil, spacing, pests and companion planting, see the full sunflower growing guide →