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When to Plant Sunflower in Casey County, KY

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.

Casey County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 192 days.

At an elevation of 2,955 feet, Casey County receives approximately 43.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.

Casey County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
192 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
192 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Casey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sunflower needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 3,360 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Casey County, KY

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 18 Feb 18 โ€“ Mar 4
Transplant Outdoors April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 13
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Aug 26

Plant 1" deep ยท 18" apart ยท Rows 30" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

70โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

192 days

Growing Tips for Casey County

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

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunflower in Casey County, KY?

Casey County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Casey County, KY?

Casey County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Casey County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Casey County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.