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When to Plant Sunflower in Sherman 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.

Sherman County, Texas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 3,372 feet, Sherman County receives approximately 46.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Sherman County, TX (Zone 6b) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Sherman County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.6-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 17 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 23 Transplant: May 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 11 Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16

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 ~1,551 GDD — county provides 3,303 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Sherman County, TX

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 23 Feb 23 โ€“ Mar 9
Transplant Outdoors May 4 May 4 โ€“ May 18
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Start Indoors
March Start Indoors
April Direct Sow
May Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June โ€”
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 6b

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Sherman 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 Sherman County, TX?

Sherman County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sherman County, TX?

Sherman County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sherman County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Sherman County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.