When to plant sunflower in New Jersey
New Jersey spans USDA zones 6b–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 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Hillsborough — below are local dates for 158 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newark | 7b | April 4 | November 6 | April 4 – April 25 |
| Jersey City | 7b | April 4 | November 6 | April 4 – April 25 |
| Paterson | 7a | April 15 | October 28 | April 15 – May 6 |
| Elizabeth | 7b | April 2 | November 10 | April 2 – April 23 |
| Toms River | 7a | April 23 | October 20 | April 23 – May 14 |
| Trenton | 7a | April 17 | October 28 | April 17 – May 8 |
| Clifton | 7a | April 15 | October 28 | April 15 – May 6 |
| Bayonne | 7b | April 2 | November 10 | April 2 – April 23 |
Sunflower in New Jersey: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in New Jersey?
Across New Jersey, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 26 in Atlantic City to April 30 in Hillsborough, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across New Jersey?
Yes. New Jersey publishes 158 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 New Jersey?
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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