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When to Plant Sunflower in Fremont County, WY

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.

Fremont County, Wyoming is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and the first fall frost is September 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 129 days.

At an elevation of 6,059 feet, Fremont County receives approximately 14.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sunflower to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Sunflower successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Fremont County, WY (Zone 4a) Short season
129 days
Last Spring Frost May 15
129 growing days
First Fall Frost September 21

Fremont County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 9 Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 2
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Start indoors: Apr 8 Transplant: Jul 1 🍅 Harvest: Sep 9 – Oct 28

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 232 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sunflower needs ~850 GDD — county provides 1,290 GDD Excellent fit

Sunflower Planting Timeline โ€” Fremont County, WY

Sunflower Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 19
Direct Sow May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jun 19
Harvest August 14 Aug 14 โ€“ Oct 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Start Indoors
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

129 days

Growing Tips for Fremont 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 Fremont County, WY?

Fremont County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 15. Plan your Sunflower planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Fremont County, WY?

Fremont County, Wyoming is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 15 and first fall frost is September 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Fremont County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Fremont County, WY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.