When to Plant Sunflower in USDA Zone 4b
Your May gardening checklist
We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Zone 4b this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.
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Direct-sow sunflower
Thin ruthlessly once seedlings are up. Crowded roots mean smaller crops from every plant.
Get ahead of June
- Transplants going out: sunflower
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 4b, the average last spring frost is around May 1 and the first fall frost is around October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 155 days.
Sunflower Planting Timeline — Zone 4b
Where Is USDA Zone 4b?
The map below highlights the states that contain Zone 4b. Click any state to see the Sunflower planting schedule for that location.
Sunflower Planting Calendar — Zone 4b
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | February 27 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Transplant Outdoors | May 22 | May 22 – Jun 5 |
| Direct Sow | May 15 | May 15 – Jun 5 |
| Harvest | July 31 | Jul 31 – Sep 18 |
Plant 1" deep · 18" apart · Rows 30" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Start Indoors |
| March | Start Indoors |
| April | — |
| May | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| June | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| July | Harvest |
| August | Harvest |
| September | Harvest |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | — |
Free Zone 4b Planting Calendar PDF
Know exactly when to plant every crop in your zone. Get a printable month-by-month calendar customized for Zone 4b 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
155 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 (~155 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 4b?
In Zone 4b, plan your Sunflower planting around the average last frost date of May 1. Start seeds indoors around February 27. Direct sow outdoors around May 15. Transplant seedlings around May 22.
Can Sunflower grow in Zone 4b?
Yes, Sunflower can grow well in Zone 4b, hardy in USDA zones 2a through 11b. Zone 4b has a growing season of approximately 155 days, which is sufficient for Sunflower (70-100 days to maturity).
When can I harvest Sunflower in Zone 4b?
In Zone 4b, expect to harvest Sunflower from July 31 – September 18. Sunflower takes 70-100 days from planting to harvest.
What is the last frost date for Zone 4b?
The average last spring frost in Zone 4b is around May 1, and the first fall frost is around October 3. This gives a growing season of approximately 155 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.