When to Plant Sunflower in Codington County, SD
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.
Codington County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.
At an elevation of 679 feet, Codington County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Sunflower to ensure they mature before fall.
Codington County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Loam
Soil pH
6.6-7.2
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
Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Codington County, SD
Sunflower Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| 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
6 – 7.5
USDA Zone
Zone 4a
Growing Season
156 days
Growing Tips for Codington 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 Codington County, SD?
Codington County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Codington County, SD?
Codington County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 6.
Plan Your Garden with Confidence
Get our free Garden Planner — designed to help Codington County gardeners in Zone 4a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.
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