When to plant sunflower in Kansas
Kansas spans USDA zones 6a–7a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City — below are local dates for 35 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | 7a | April 11 | October 29 | April 11 – May 2 |
| Overland Park | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | April 10 – May 1 |
| Kansas City | 6b | April 4 | November 2 | April 4 – April 25 |
| Olathe | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | April 10 – May 1 |
| Topeka | 6b | April 16 | October 22 | April 16 – May 7 |
| Lawrence | 6b | April 12 | October 28 | April 12 – May 3 |
| Shawnee | 6b | April 16 | October 22 | April 16 – May 7 |
| Lenexa | 6b | April 10 | October 29 | April 10 – May 1 |
Sunflower in Kansas: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Kansas?
Across Kansas, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly April 4 in Kansas City to April 28 in Garden City, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Kansas?
Yes. Kansas publishes 35 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 Kansas?
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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