Corn Planting Guide
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.
Zea mays · Vegetable · Poaceae family · 60–100 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Corn Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Corn?
Corn Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Corn planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | May 29 | — | Jul 31 – Sep 25 |
| Zone 3b | — | May 24 | — | Jul 26 – Sep 20 |
| Zone 4a | — | May 20 | — | Jul 22 – Sep 16 |
| Zone 4b | — | May 15 | — | Jul 17 – Sep 11 |
| Zone 5a | — | May 2 | — | Jul 4 – Aug 29 |
| Zone 5b | — | Apr 25 | — | Jun 27 – Aug 22 |
| Zone 6a | — | Apr 17 | — | Jun 19 – Aug 14 |
| Zone 6b | — | Apr 10 | — | Jun 12 – Aug 7 |
| Zone 7a | — | Apr 1 | — | Jun 3 – Jul 29 |
| Zone 7b | — | Mar 25 | — | May 27 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 8a | — | Mar 15 | — | May 17 – Jul 12 |
| Zone 8b | — | Mar 4 | — | May 6 – Jul 1 |
| Zone 9a | — | Feb 17 | — | Apr 21 – Jun 16 |
| Zone 9b | — | Feb 1 | — | Apr 5 – May 31 |
| Zone 10a | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – May 7 |
| Zone 10b | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – May 7 |
| Zone 11a | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – May 7 |
| Zone 11b | — | Jan 8 | — | Mar 12 – May 7 |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Corn is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Transplant shows "—" because Corn is best direct sown where it will grow. Transplanting can disturb the roots and slow growth.
How to Plant Corn
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1.5"/week
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–100 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Poaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Poaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Corn
Corn matures in just 60–100 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Corn
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Corn
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.
💧 Watering: Corn needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week during active growth. Adjust based on your local rainfall — check your county page for a monthly watering guide specific to your area.
Saving Corn Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Keep your garden organized with durable, weather-resistant plant labels.
Level Up Your Garden
Corn by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Corn?
Corn (Zea mays) takes 60 to 100 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Corn grow in?
Corn can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Corn need?
Growing Corn requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.