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When to Plant Corn in Butler County, AL

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.

Butler County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 301 feet, Butler County receives approximately 58.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Butler County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 12
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Butler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,227 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Butler County, AL

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 19 Mar 19 โ€“ Apr 9
Harvest May 21 May 21 โ€“ Jul 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Butler County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Butler County, AL?

Butler County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 12. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Butler County, AL?

Butler County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 12 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Butler County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Butler County, AL. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.