When to Plant Sunflower in USDA Zone 11b
April in Zone 11b — your action list
Your Zone 11b garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for April and why each task matters now.
Get your free Zone 11b 2026 Planting Guide →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.
In Zone 11b, the average last spring frost is around January 1 and the first fall frost is around December 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 364 days.
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Zone 11b
Where Is USDA Zone 11b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 11b. Click any state to see the Sunflower planting schedule for that location.
Sunflower Planting Calendar — Zone 11b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | November 20 | Nov 20 – Dec 4 |
| Transplant Outdoors | January 8 | Jan 8 – Jan 22 |
| Direct Sow | January 1 | Jan 1 – Jan 22 |
| Harvest | March 19 | Mar 19 – May 7 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| February | — |
| March | Harvest |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | — |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | Start Indoors |
| December | Start Indoors |
Free Zone 11b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 11b with start dates, transplant windows, and harvest times.
Growing Conditions
Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low — drought tolerant
Days to Maturity
70–100 days
Soil pH
6 – 7.5
Zone Temperature Range
°F to °F average annual minimum
Growing Season
364 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 18 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 30 inches between rows |
Succession Planting Sunflower in Zone
Sow every 8 weeks for continuous harvest throughout the season.
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~364 days). Start Sunflower indoors early and use season-extension techniques like row covers and cold frames.
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
The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting
The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.
- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
- Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
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Saving Sunflower Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Related Plants
Sunflower in Other Zones
Sunflower by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Sunflower in Zone 11b?
In Zone 11b, plan your Sunflower planting around the average last frost date of January 1. Start seeds indoors around November 20. Direct sow outdoors around January 1. Transplant seedlings around January 8.
Can Sunflower grow in Zone 11b?
Yes, Sunflower can grow well in Zone 11b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 11b has a growing season of approximately 364 days, which is sufficient for Sunflower (70-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sunflower in Zone 11b?
In Zone 11b, expect to harvest Sunflower from March 19 – May 7. Sunflower takes 70-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 11b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 11b is around January 1, and the first fall frost is around December 31. This gives a growing season of approximately 364 days. These are 50% probability dates — actual frost dates vary year to year.
What should I plant next to Sunflower?
Good companion plants for Sunflower include Corn, Cucumber, Squash Summer. These companions can help with pest control, pollination, and nutrient sharing.
Your Free Printable Garden Planner
A 24-page printable planner tailored to your zone. Planting dates, monthly task lists, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — everything you need to plan a full season.