When to plant sunflower in Washington
Washington spans USDA zones 6b–9a, so the right time to plant sunflower shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 1 in Port Townsend to May 30 in Cheney — below are local dates for 132 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 9a | March 8 | November 23 | March 8 – March 29 |
| Spokane | 7a | April 26 | October 15 | April 26 – May 17 |
| Tacoma | 8b | March 8 | November 14 | March 8 – March 29 |
| Vancouver | 8b | March 29 | November 9 | March 29 – April 19 |
| Bellevue | 9a | March 8 | November 23 | March 8 – March 29 |
| Kent | 8b | March 20 | November 10 | March 20 – April 10 |
| Everett | 8b | March 24 | November 2 | March 24 – April 14 |
| Spokane Valley | 7a | April 26 | October 15 | April 26 – May 17 |
Sunflower in Washington: FAQ
When can I plant sunflower in Washington?
Across Washington, the time to direct-sow sunflower spans roughly March 1 in Port Townsend to May 30 in Cheney, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the sunflower planting date vary across Washington?
Yes. Washington publishes 132 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 Washington?
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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