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When to Plant Corn in Montrose 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.

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 91 days.

At an elevation of 6,494 feet, Montrose County receives approximately 18.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Corn successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Montrose County, CO (Zone 6a) Very short season
91 days
Last Spring Frost June 13
91 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12

Montrose County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 13 🍅 Harvest: Aug 15 – Oct 10
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 147 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 1,387 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Montrose County, CO

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 20 Jun 20 โ€“ Jul 11
Harvest August 22 Aug 22 โ€“ Oct 17

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 Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August Harvest
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 6a

Growing Season

91 days

Growing Tips for Montrose 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 Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 13. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Montrose County, CO?

Montrose County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 13 and first fall frost is September 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Montrose County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Montrose County, CO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.