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When to Plant Sunflower in Shackelford 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.

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 226 days.

At an elevation of 4,145 feet, Shackelford County receives approximately 59.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sunflower during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sunflower root diseases.

Shackelford County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
226 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
226 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Shackelford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (94 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 29 Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (93 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 9 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 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
Sunflower needs ~1,424 GDD — county provides 3,785 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Shackelford County, TX

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 9 Feb 9 โ€“ Feb 23
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Aug 10

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

226 days

Growing Tips for Shackelford 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 Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Shackelford County, TX?

Shackelford County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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