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General sunflowers calendar

Paris, France · 48.86°

When to plant sunflowers in Paris

The Paris dates are calculated from the observed last spring frost — a 2016–2025 mean of 5 April — rather than from a latitude estimate or a national calendar. The frost-free season here averages 230 days.

Season anchorobserved 2016–2025

Last spring frost: 5 April · latest 30 Apr

First autumn frost: 21 November · earliest 4 Nov

Frost-free season: 230 days · 10 complete years

These come from the ERA5 reanalysis on a roughly 9 km grid, so they describe the area rather than your plot. A hollow, a frost pocket or an exposed site regularly runs several degrees colder, so use the cautious date for a decision you cannot undo.

Frost date estimator

Local calendar windows

Sow indoors15 March – 29 March9 April – 23 April
Sow outdoors5 April – 20 May30 April – 14 June
Plant out19 April – 10 May14 May – 4 June
Approximate harvest24 June – 23 August19 July – 17 September

The cautious column is calculated from the latest frost recorded in the period (30 Apr). Use it for tender crops you cannot re-sow.

The year in Paris

What can move the date

Direct-sow where it is to flower — a taproot damaged in transplanting halves the final height. Stake tall varieties in exposed gardens; a headed sunflower catches wind like a sail.

Final spacing: 45 × 60 cm. Soil: pH 6–7.5.

Direct-sow only once the soil holds 12°C or more — soil temperature decides germination, not the date.

Problems in Paris

Each has its locally favourable conditions counted month by month, from the weather archive for this city.

Full guide: sunflowers diseases and pests →

The same crop elsewhere