When to Plant Sunflower in Scurry County, TX
June in the garden — Scurry County, Texas
Welcome to June in Zone 8a. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.
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Basket week: sunflower
Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
- 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.
Scurry County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.
At an elevation of 3,106 feet, Scurry County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98°F, so Sunflower may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Sunflower will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.
Scurry County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Soil pH
7.2-8.2
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 Scurry County
How your county's soil matches Sunflower's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (7.2–8.2) is more alkaline than Sunflower prefers (6.0–7.5). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Scurry County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Sunflower will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.1%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Sunflower.
How to Plant Sunflower
Succession Planting Sunflower
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.
Sunflower Water Budget
Water stress score is 8/10 — 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 | — | 2.7" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 2.9" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | 2.2" | 2.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Apr | 2.2" | 1.8" | 0.4" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 2.2" | 0.9" | 1.3" | 🚿 Regular watering |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.5" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 7.5" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 2.2" | 8.8" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 6.9" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 2.2" | 4.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 2.2" | 2.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Dec | — | 3.3" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Scurry 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 — Scurry County, TX
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 |
| Transplant Outdoors | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 |
| Direct Sow | March 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 11 |
| Bloom | June 13 | Jun 13 – Oct 17 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 24" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| 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: too_alkaline
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 8a
📆 Growing Season
228 days in Scurry County
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Scurry County
Direct sow Sunflower outdoors after March 28 in Scurry County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Scurry County dries quickly — mulch Sunflower with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
With summer highs reaching 98°F in Scurry County, provide afternoon shade for Sunflower and water deeply in the morning.
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 Scurry County, TX?
Scurry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Scurry County, TX?
Scurry County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 11.
Your Scurry County Garden Planner — Free
A 22-page printable planner built for Scurry County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.