When to plant sunflower in Kentucky
Kentucky spans USDA zones 6b–7b, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 31 in Shively to May 1 in Shelbyville — below are local dates for 46 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 7a | April 6 | November 1 | April 6 – April 27 |
| Lexington-Fayette urban county | 7a | April 13 | October 28 | April 13 – May 4 |
| Bowling Green | 7a | April 5 | October 31 | April 5 – April 26 |
| Owensboro | 7a | April 2 | November 1 | April 2 – April 23 |
| Covington | 6b | April 16 | October 25 | April 16 – May 7 |
| Georgetown | 6b | April 18 | October 23 | April 18 – May 9 |
| Richmond | 7a | April 15 | October 22 | April 15 – May 6 |
| Florence | 6b | April 18 | October 25 | April 18 – May 9 |
Sunflower in Kentucky: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Kentucky?
Across Kentucky, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 31 in Shively to May 1 in Shelbyville, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Kentucky?
Yes. Kentucky publishes 46 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 Kentucky?
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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