When to Plant Sunflower in USDA Zone 2b
Zone 2b gardeners: here's your May plan
Here's what deserves your attention in Zone 2b this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 2b and timed around your local frost dates.
Get your free Zone 2b 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 2b, the average last spring frost is around May 22 and the first fall frost is around September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 111 days.
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Zone 2b
Where Is USDA Zone 2b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 2b. Click any state to see the Sunflower planting schedule for that location.
Sunflower Planting Calendar — Zone 2b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | March 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Transplant Outdoors | June 12 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 |
| Direct Sow | June 5 | Jun 5 – Jun 26 |
| Harvest | August 21 | Aug 21 – Oct 9 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | — |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | Start Indoors |
| May | — |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | — |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | Harvest |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 2b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 2b 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
111 days (Zone average)
Planting Specifications
| Planting Depth | 1 inches |
| Plant Spacing | 18 inches apart |
| Row Spacing | 30 inches between rows |
Growing Tips for Sunflower in Zone
Zone has a short growing season (~111 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
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- Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
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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 2b?
In Zone 2b, plan your Sunflower planting around the average last frost date of May 22. Start seeds indoors around March 20. Direct sow outdoors around June 5. Transplant seedlings around June 12.
Can Sunflower grow in Zone 2b?
Yes, Sunflower can grow well in Zone 2b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 2b has a growing season of approximately 111 days, which is sufficient for Sunflower (70-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sunflower in Zone 2b?
In Zone 2b, expect to harvest Sunflower from August 21 – October 9. Sunflower takes 70-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 2b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 2b is around May 22, and the first fall frost is around September 10. This gives a growing season of approximately 111 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.