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When to Plant Sunflower in Schleicher 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.

Schleicher County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 3,657 feet, Schleicher County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Sunflower will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Schleicher County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Schleicher County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 31 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 11 Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 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.

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 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sunflower needs ~1,742 GDD — county provides 4,530 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Schleicher County, TX

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 โ€“ Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors April 15 Apr 15 โ€“ Apr 29
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 12

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

221 days

Growing Tips for Schleicher 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 Schleicher County, TX?

Schleicher County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Schleicher County, TX?

Schleicher County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 8.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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