Sunflowers Planting Dates in California

Usual sunflowers planting and harvest periods in California, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.

Sunflowers dates in California
Activity	Window	Source	Last verified
Planting	Mar 21 to Aug 1 usual (most active Apr 1 to May 31)	source	2026-11-11
Harvest	Jun 1 to Oct 1 usual (most active Jul 1 to Aug 31)	source	2026-11-11

Sunflowers calendar for California
Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting			Planting window in March	Planting window, most active in April	Planting window, most active in May	Planting window in June	Planting window in July	Planting window in August
Harvest						Harvest window in June	Harvest window, most active in July	Harvest window, most active in August	Harvest window in September	Harvest window in October

What these dates mean in California

Planting usually runs about 134 days, from Mar 21 to Aug 1.

That start date is about 54 days earlier than the middle of the 9 places in this data set that report sunflowers planting dates (May 14).

Harvest usually runs about 123 days, from Jun 1 to Oct 1.

From the start of the planting window to the start of the harvest window is about 72 days in California, a rough guide to how long the crop occupies the bed or field.

Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for California. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Frost dates and local conditions vary; NASS state-level usual dates from 20-year progress data (Oct 2010 edition), begin ~5% and end ~95% complete. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.

Related guides

Sunflowers dates in other places

Other crops in California

Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: USDA NASS, Field Crops Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates (October 2010 edition, copy hosted by Cornell University Mann Library). Dates are the usual start and end of the period when about 5% to 95% of the crop is planted or harvested, from long-run state progress data. They are historic averages, not a forecast.