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When to Plant Sunflower in Weakley County, TN

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.

Weakley County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 1,314 feet, Weakley County receives approximately 45.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season.

Weakley County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
205 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Weakley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 8 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 15 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31

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
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sunflower needs ~1,742 GDD — county provides 4,202 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Weakley County, TN

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 15 Feb 15 โ€“ Mar 1
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Season

205 days

Growing Tips for Weakley 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 Weakley County, TN?

Weakley County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Weakley County, TN?

Weakley County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Weakley County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Weakley County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.