Rainline Garden

When to plant sunflowers in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA

Plant sunflowers from seed, directly in the garden in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, May 15 – Jun 26.

Easy Plant seeds in the ground

Why these dates

Aberdeen and Hoquiam's typical last spring frost is March 30. Frost kills sunflowers, and warm-season crops also need warm soil. Soil here stays cold for weeks after the last frost, so planting waits until about May 15.

Coast. Mild winters but cool, foggy summers. Frost is rarely the problem; warmth is. Pick early, cool-tolerant varieties of tomatoes and squash.

Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
6 inches (small types) to 24 inches (giants) apart
Planting depth
1 inch deep
Frost
Killed by frost
Flowers
Blooms about 60 to 90 days after sowing

Step by step

  1. Prepare the bed: loosen the soil and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant seeds May 15 – Jun 26, 1 inch deep, 6 inches (small types) to 24 inches (giants) apart.
  3. Keep the soil evenly moist until sprouts appear, which can take one to three weeks in cool soil.
  4. Harvest: Cut flowers when the petals are just opening. For seeds, let heads dry on the plant until the back turns brown, and cover them from birds.

Varieties that do well here

  • Mammoth Grey Stripe (giant)
  • ProCut (for cutting)
  • Teddy Bear (dwarf)

Watch out for

Birds and slugs eat seedlings. Cover the seedbed until plants are a few inches tall.

Sow them where they'll grow; they dislike transplanting. Tall varieties need a spot out of the wind.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, WA?

Typically March 30. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by April 25. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Hoquiam Bowerman Airport.

Is it too late to plant sunflowers in Aberdeen and Hoquiam?

The spring planting window runs through June 26. Later plantings may not have time to bloom well before the first fall frost, which usually arrives around November 14.

When do sunflowers bloom?

Blooms about 60 to 90 days after sowing. Cut flowers when the petals are just opening. For seeds, let heads dry on the plant until the back turns brown, and cover them from birds.

Also plant in Aberdeen and Hoquiam around the same time

Planting dates for sunflowers in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Aberdeen and Hoquiam · Sunflowers in every city