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When to Plant Corn in Hinsdale County, CO

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.

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and the first fall frost is September 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 84 days.

At an elevation of 6,833 feet, Hinsdale County receives approximately 23.8 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.

Hinsdale County, CO (Zone 4a) Very short season
84 days
Last Spring Frost June 18
84 growing days
First Fall Frost September 10

Hinsdale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-8.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 7 – Oct 2
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 20 – Oct 15
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 29 🍅 Harvest: Aug 31 – Oct 26

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~920 GDD — county provides 966 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Hinsdale County, CO

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Jul 23
Harvest September 3 Sep 3 โ€“ Oct 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June โ€”
July Direct Sow
August โ€”
September Harvest
October Harvest
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 4a

Growing Season

84 days

Growing Tips for Hinsdale 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 Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 18. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hinsdale County, CO?

Hinsdale County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 18 and first fall frost is September 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Hinsdale County gardeners in Zone 4a 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 Hinsdale County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.