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When to Plant Corn in Tehama County, CA

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.

Tehama County, California is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 78 feet, Tehama County receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Tehama County, CA (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 28

Tehama County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (151 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 23 🍅 Harvest: Apr 27 – Jun 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (148 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 878 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~920 GDD — county provides 3,070 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Tehama County, CA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Apr 3
Harvest May 15 May 15 โ€“ Jul 10

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 8b

Growing Season

267 days

Growing Tips for Tehama 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 Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tehama County, CA?

Tehama County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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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 Tehama County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.