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When to Plant Corn in Routt 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.

Routt County, Colorado is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 88 days.

At an elevation of 5,381 feet, Routt County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Routt County, CO (Zone 4a) Very short season
88 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
88 growing days
First Fall Frost September 8

Routt 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: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 29
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 27 – Oct 22

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 ~980 GDD — county provides 1,078 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Routt County, CO

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Jul 17
Harvest August 28 Aug 28 โ€“ Oct 23

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 4a

Growing Season

88 days

Growing Tips for Routt 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 Routt County, CO?

Routt County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Routt County, CO?

Routt County, Colorado is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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