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When to Plant Corn in Monroe 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.

Monroe County, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 1,042 feet, Monroe County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Monroe County, AR (Zone 7b) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Monroe County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (122 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 9 🍅 Harvest: May 11 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (125 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (117 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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 Monroe County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.8) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 244-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 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 1,400 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,904 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Monroe County, AR

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 โ€“ Apr 11
Harvest May 23 May 23 โ€“ Jul 18

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

244 days in Monroe County

Growing Tips for Corn in Monroe County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 14 in Monroe 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 Monroe County, AR?

Monroe County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Monroe County, AR?

Monroe County, Arkansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 13.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Monroe 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 Monroe County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.