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When to Plant Corn in Lonoke County, AR

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.

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 1,126 feet, Lonoke County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Lonoke County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Lonoke County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (113 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9

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 Lonoke County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7โ€“6.5) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lonoke County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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 228-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,220 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,161 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Lonoke County, AR

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jul 26

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

228 days in Lonoke County

Growing Tips for Corn in Lonoke County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 22 in Lonoke County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lonoke County, AR?

Lonoke County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lonoke County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lonoke County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.