When to plant sunflower in New York
New York spans USDA zones 4b–7b, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about April 1 in New York to May 17 in Oneonta — below are local dates for 201 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | 7b | April 1 | November 19 | April 1 – April 22 |
| Buffalo | 6b | April 24 | October 26 | April 24 – May 15 |
| Yonkers | 7b | April 20 | October 26 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Rochester | 6b | April 24 | October 25 | April 24 – May 15 |
| Syracuse | 6a | April 29 | October 19 | April 29 – May 20 |
| Albany | 6a | April 27 | October 15 | April 27 – May 18 |
| New Rochelle | 7b | April 20 | October 26 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Cheektowaga | 6b | April 24 | October 26 | April 24 – May 15 |
Sunflower in New York: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in New York?
Across New York, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly April 1 in New York to May 17 in Oneonta, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across New York?
Yes. New York publishes 201 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 York?
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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