When to plant sunflower in Ohio
Ohio 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 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Warren — below are local dates for 187 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 6b | April 20 | October 24 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Cleveland | 7a | April 8 | November 12 | April 8 – April 29 |
| Cincinnati | 6b | April 16 | October 25 | April 16 – May 7 |
| Toledo | 6b | April 20 | October 27 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Akron | 6b | April 24 | October 28 | April 24 – May 15 |
| Dayton | 6b | April 18 | October 25 | April 18 – May 9 |
| Parma | 6b | April 20 | November 3 | April 20 – May 11 |
| Canton | 6b | April 24 | October 26 | April 24 – May 15 |
Sunflower in Ohio: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Ohio?
Across Ohio, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly April 8 in Cleveland to May 8 in Warren, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Ohio?
Yes. Ohio publishes 187 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 Ohio?
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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