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When to Plant Sunflower in Anson County, NC

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.

Anson County, North Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 332 feet, Anson County receives approximately 49.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Sunflower, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Anson County, NC (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 29
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Anson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sunflower needs ~1,615 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Anson County, NC

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 8 Feb 8 โ€“ Feb 22
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Direct Sow April 5 Apr 5 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
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 7b

Growing Season

219 days

Growing Tips for Anson 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 Anson County, NC?

Anson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 29. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Anson County, NC?

Anson County, North Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 29 and first fall frost is November 3.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Anson County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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