When to plant sunflower in Tennessee
Tennessee 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 16 in Memphis to April 22 in Halls — below are local dates for 67 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | 7b | April 1 | October 31 | April 1 – April 22 |
| Memphis | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 16 – April 6 |
| Knoxville | 7b | April 11 | October 28 | April 11 – May 2 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | March 24 | November 9 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Clarksville | 7b | April 3 | November 1 | April 3 – April 24 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | April 9 | October 27 | April 9 – April 30 |
| Franklin | 7b | April 3 | October 31 | April 3 – April 24 |
| Johnson City | 7b | April 19 | October 24 | April 19 – May 10 |
Sunflower in Tennessee: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Tennessee?
Across Tennessee, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 16 in Memphis to April 22 in Halls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee publishes 67 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 Tennessee?
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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