When to Plant Sunflower in Paulding County, OH
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.
Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 179 days.
At an elevation of 914 feet, Paulding County receives approximately 40.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.
Paulding County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Silt Loam
Soil pH
5.8-7
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.
Plant Water Budget
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Paulding County, OH
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 28 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 9 | May 9 – May 23 |
| Direct Sow | May 2 | May 2 – May 23 |
| Harvest | July 18 | Jul 18 – Sep 5 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | — |
| July | Harvest |
| 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
6 – 7.5
USDA Zone
Zone 5b
Growing Season
179 days
Growing Tips for Paulding 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
Level Up Your Garden
Sunflower in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Paulding County, OH?
Paulding County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Paulding County, OH?
Paulding County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 21.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Paulding County gardeners in Zone 5b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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