When to Plant Sunflower in Sevier County, UT
Your May gardening checklist
Your garden in Sevier County, Utah is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.
-
Direct-sow sunflower
Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.
Before June arrives, get these ready
- Transplants going out: 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.
Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.
At an elevation of 8,049 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.
Sevier County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.4-8
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 Sevier County
How your county's soil matches Sunflower's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (6.4–8.0) overlaps with Sunflower's range (6.0–7.5), though not a perfect match.
Soil Texture
The loam soil in Sevier County is excellent for Sunflower — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is moderate (2.6%). Annual compost additions will help Sunflower.
How to Plant Sunflower
Succession Planting Sunflower
Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 22 to harvest before frost.
Plant 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 | — | 1.4" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Feb | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Mar | — | 1.5" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Apr | — | 2.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| May | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jun | 2.2" | 1.3" | 0.9" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jul | 2.2" | 1.6" | 0.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Aug | 2.2" | 2.4" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 2.2" | 1.7" | 0.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| Oct | — | 2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Nov | — | 1.6" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
| Dec | — | 1.2" | 0" | ❄️ Dormant |
Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Sevier 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 — Sevier County, UT
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 24 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 2 | Jun 2 – Jun 16 |
| Direct Sow | May 26 | May 26 – Jun 16 |
| Harvest | August 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 29 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| 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: acceptable
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 6a
📆 Growing Season
134 days in Sevier County
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Sevier County
Direct sow Sunflower outdoors after May 19 in Sevier 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.
Sevier County receives only 21" of rain annually. Sunflower needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.
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 Sevier County, UT?
Sevier County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of May 19. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Sevier County, UT?
Sevier County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is May 19 and first fall frost is September 30.
Your Sevier County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Sevier County (Zone 6a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.