Blog

When to Plant Sunflower in Harmon County, OK

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.

Harmon County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 993 feet, Harmon County receives approximately 34.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.

Harmon County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 31
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Harmon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 2 Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 10 Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (86 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 25 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Aug 26

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 Harmon County

How your county's soil matches Sunflower's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.5) is within Sunflower's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.5).

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Harmon County is excellent for Sunflower โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.0%) โ€” Sunflower will thrive.

How to Plant Sunflower

1"
Planting Depth
18"
Between Plants
30"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sunflower

3
successive plantings in your 219-day season

Sow every 8 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sunflower needs ~1,551 GDD — county provides 3,996 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Harmon County, OK

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 10 Feb 10 โ€“ Feb 24
Transplant Outdoors April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ Apr 28
Direct Sow April 7 Apr 7 โ€“ Apr 28
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 11

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

0.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

70โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7.5 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

219 days in Harmon County

Growing Tips for Sunflower in Harmon County

Direct sow Sunflower outdoors after March 31 in Harmon 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.

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

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sunflower in Harmon County, OK?

Harmon County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 31. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harmon County, OK?

Harmon County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 31 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Harmon County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.