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When to Plant Corn in Adams County, ID

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.

Adams County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 128 days.

At an elevation of 6,593 feet, Adams County receives approximately 20.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Adams County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
128 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
128 growing days
First Fall Frost September 25

Adams County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (10 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (9 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 23 🍅 Harvest: Aug 25 – Oct 20

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 853 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 1,760 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Adams County, ID

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jun 17
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 โ€“ Sep 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 Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

128 days

Growing Tips for Adams 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 Adams County, ID?

Adams County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Adams County, ID?

Adams County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Adams County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Adams County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.