When to plant sunflower in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 7a–8b, 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 Norfolk to April 26 in Radford — below are local dates for 127 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | 8b | March 29 | November 12 | March 29 – April 19 |
| Chesapeake | 8a | March 23 | November 18 | March 23 – April 13 |
| Arlington | 7b | March 24 | November 18 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Norfolk | 8b | March 16 | November 26 | March 16 – April 6 |
| Richmond | 7b | April 3 | November 4 | April 3 – April 24 |
| Newport News | 8a | April 1 | November 9 | April 1 – April 22 |
| Alexandria | 8a | March 24 | November 18 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Hampton | 8b | March 24 | November 15 | March 24 – April 14 |
Sunflower in Virginia: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Virginia?
Across Virginia, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 16 in Norfolk to April 26 in Radford, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Virginia?
Yes. Virginia publishes 127 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 Virginia?
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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