When to Plant Sunflower in Kennebec County, ME
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.
Kennebec County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 148 days.
At an elevation of 1,032 feet, Kennebec County receives approximately 42.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sunflower to ensure they mature before fall.
Kennebec County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Drainage
Well Drained
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Kennebec County, ME
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 24 | May 24 – Jun 7 |
| Direct Sow | May 17 | May 17 – Jun 7 |
| Harvest | August 2 | Aug 2 – Sep 20 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
📅 Days to Maturity
70–100 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 5a
📆 Growing Season
148 days in Kennebec County
Growing Tips for Kennebec 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
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Sunflower in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Kennebec County, ME?
Kennebec County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Kennebec County, ME?
Kennebec County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 5.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Kennebec County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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