When to Plant Sunflower in Norfolk County, MA
May to-do list for Norfolk County, Massachusetts
May is a pivotal month for Norfolk County, Massachusetts gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.
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Time to transplant sunflower
Frost risk is low now in Norfolk County, Massachusetts. If you've been covering beds overnight, you can stop.
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Sow sunflower where they'll grow
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
Coming up in June — start thinking about
- Starting indoors: sunflower
Sunflowers are tall, cheerful annuals grown for their edible seeds and as pollinator magnets. They come in sizes from 2-foot dwarfs to 12-foot giants.
Norfolk County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 176 days.
At an elevation of 799 feet, Norfolk County receives approximately 42.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.
Norfolk County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.2-6.4
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Norfolk County
How your county's soil matches Sunflower's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.2–6.4) is more acidic than Sunflower prefers (6.0–7.5). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
The silt loam soil in Norfolk County is excellent for Sunflower — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). Annual compost additions will help Sunflower.
How to Plant Sunflower
Succession Planting Sunflower
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 09 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Sunflower
Sunflower needs approximately 0.5 inches of water per week (2.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Sunflower Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | — | 3.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 3.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 3.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 3.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 3.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 3.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Norfolk County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Sunflower Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Norfolk County, MA
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 8 | May 8 – May 22 |
| Direct Sow | May 1 | May 1 – May 22 |
| Harvest | July 17 | Jul 17 – Sep 4 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
0.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6b
📆 Growing Season
176 days in Norfolk County
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Norfolk County
Direct sow Sunflower outdoors after April 24 in Norfolk County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Common pests for Sunflower in this region include aphids and slugs. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.
General growing tips
Direct sow after last frost. Stake tall varieties in windy areas. Harvest seed heads when the back turns brown and seeds are plump. Dry heads upside down.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Avoid Planting Near
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sunflower in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Norfolk County, MA?
Norfolk County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Norfolk County, MA?
Norfolk County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 17.
Your Norfolk County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Norfolk County (Zone 6b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.