When to plant sunflower in Maryland
Maryland spans USDA zones 7a–8a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster — below are local dates for 139 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | 8a | March 24 | November 21 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Columbia | 7b | April 5 | November 9 | April 5 – April 26 |
| Germantown | 7b | April 14 | October 29 | April 14 – May 5 |
| Frederick | 7b | April 2 | November 6 | April 2 – April 23 |
| Waldorf | 7b | April 17 | October 27 | April 17 – May 8 |
| Silver Spring | 7b | April 10 | November 1 | April 10 – May 1 |
| Ellicott City | 7b | April 2 | November 7 | April 2 – April 23 |
| Glen Burnie | 7b | April 10 | October 31 | April 10 – May 1 |
Sunflower in Maryland: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Maryland?
Across Maryland, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 22 in California to April 24 in Westminster, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Maryland?
Yes. Maryland publishes 139 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 Maryland?
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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