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When to Plant Sunflower in Montague 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.

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,867 feet, Montague County receives approximately 58.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sunflower root diseases.

Montague County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Montague County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 30 Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 7 Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 27

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
1.1″/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 ~1,742 GDD — county provides 4,571 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Montague County, TX

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 7 Feb 7 โ€“ Feb 21
Transplant Outdoors April 11 Apr 11 โ€“ Apr 25
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Aug 8

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

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

223 days

Growing Tips for Montague 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 Montague County, TX?

Montague County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montague County, TX?

Montague County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montague 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 Montague County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.