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When to plant Corn in Cave Spring, GA

Plant Corn in Cave Spring after April 6; the prime window is April 13–May 4.

When to Plant Corn in Cave Spring, GA

Corn
Floyd County, Georgia Zone 8a June

Your June planting checklist for Floyd County, Georgia

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Floyd County, Georgia this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 6
Avg. first frost October 30
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Harvest corn as they ripen

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: corn

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Corn is a warm-season grass grown for its sweet ears, which are best eaten soon after harvest. It is wind-pollinated and must be planted in blocks for good kernel fill.

Cave Spring, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 169 feet, Floyd County receives approximately 53.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Corn, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Cave Spring, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Cave Spring Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Cave Spring

How your county's soil matches Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Floyd County is excellent for Corn — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 207-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 22 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 775 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Corn

Corn needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.9" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Floyd County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Corn Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Corn needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,777 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Cave Spring, GA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 – May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 – Aug 10

Plant 1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

207 days in Floyd County

Growing Tips for Corn in Cave Spring

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 06 in Floyd County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Floyd County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Corn. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than single rows for proper pollination. Direct sow after soil reaches 60F. Side-dress with nitrogen when plants are knee-high.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

When should I plant Corn in Cave Spring, GA?

In Cave Spring, GA, plant Corn after the last frost (around April 6) and before the first frost (around October 30). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cave Spring, GA for Corn?

Cave Spring sits in USDA Zone 8a. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Cave Spring's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Cave Spring's temperate climate. Cave Spring averages a 207-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 6 and first frost around October 30.

🌱

Your Floyd County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Floyd County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Floyd County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.