When to plant sunflower in Alabama
Alabama spans USDA zones 7b–9a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville — below are local dates for 70 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | 8a | March 24 | November 8 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Mobile | 9a | February 21 | December 6 | February 21 – March 14 |
| Birmingham | 8a | March 21 | November 11 | March 21 – April 11 |
| Montgomery | 8b | March 4 | November 18 | March 4 – March 25 |
| Tuscaloosa | 8b | March 18 | November 10 | March 18 – April 8 |
| Hoover | 8a | March 19 | November 8 | March 19 – April 9 |
| Auburn | 8b | March 13 | November 17 | March 13 – April 3 |
| Dothan | 9a | March 1 | November 24 | March 1 – March 22 |
Sunflower in Alabama: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Alabama?
Across Alabama, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly February 21 in Mobile to April 6 in Jacksonville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Alabama?
Yes. Alabama publishes 70 cities with their own frost dates, so the right sunflower planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does sunflower take to grow in Alabama?
Sunflower takes about 70–100 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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