When to Plant Sunflower in Latimer County, OK
Your June planting checklist for Latimer County, Oklahoma
Each item below is timed to Latimer County, Oklahoma's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.
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Harvest sunflower as they ripen
Morning harvests are best — cooler temperatures mean crisper produce and longer fridge life.
July will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: sunflower
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is a fast-growing North American native annual famous for its towering stems and brilliant yellow heads. It thrives in full sun and heat, producing large, pollen-rich blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and seed-eating birds. Varieties range from 18-inch dwarfs to 12-foot giants and nearly every color except blue.
Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.
At an elevation of 773 feet, Latimer County receives approximately 33.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.
Latimer County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.5-7.2
Drainage
Well Drained
Sunflower 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 Latimer County
How your county's soil matches Sunflower's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.5–7.2) is within Sunflower's preferred range (6.0–7.5).
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Latimer County is excellent for Sunflower — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (3.6%). Annual compost additions will help Sunflower.
How to Plant Sunflower
Succession Planting Sunflower
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.
Sunflower Water Budget
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
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 | — | 0.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | 2.2" | 3.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| May | 2.2" | 5.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 4.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 3.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 2.2" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | — | 1" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 0.8" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Latimer 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 — Latimer County, OK
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Direct Sow | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 26 |
| Bloom | June 28 | Jun 28 – Oct 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| May | — |
| June | Bloom |
| July | Bloom |
| August | Bloom |
| September | Bloom |
| October | Bloom |
| 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: ideal
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 7b
📆 Growing Season
209 days in Latimer County
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Latimer County
Direct sow Sunflower outdoors after April 05 in Latimer 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 1 inch deep after last frost; germination takes 7-14 days at 65-75°F soil. Sunflowers dislike root disturbance so direct sowing is strongly preferred over transplanting. Plant in succession every 2 weeks for extended bloom. Stake tall varieties. Avoid overwatering — they tolerate drought once established. Birds will self-deadhead seed heads; leave them up through fall for wildlife.
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 Latimer County, OK?
Latimer County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Latimer County, OK?
Latimer County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 31.
Your Latimer County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Latimer County (Zone 7b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.