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When to Plant Sunflower in Hunt County, TX

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.

Hunt County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 245 days.

At an elevation of 1 feet, Hunt County receives approximately 57.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sunflower root diseases.

Hunt County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
245 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
245 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Hunt County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 17 Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Jul 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 20

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 ~1,679 GDD — county provides 4,838 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Hunt County, TX

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Jul 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

245 days

Growing Tips for Hunt 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 Hunt County, TX?

Hunt County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hunt County, TX?

Hunt County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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