Blog

When to Plant Corn in Henry 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.

Henry County, Alabama is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 253 days.

At an elevation of 195 feet, Henry County receives approximately 61.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, 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.

Henry County, AL (Zone 8a) Long season
253 days
Last Spring Frost March 9
253 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Henry County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 3 🍅 Harvest: May 5 – Jun 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (134 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 27

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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,617 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Henry County, AL

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 16 Mar 16 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest May 18 May 18 โ€“ Jul 13

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

253 days

Growing Tips for Henry 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 Henry County, AL?

Henry County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 9. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Henry County, AL?

Henry County, Alabama is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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