Blog

When to Plant Corn in Idaho 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.

Idaho County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 114 days.

At an elevation of 6,736 feet, Idaho County receives approximately 24.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Idaho County, ID (Zone 5a) Short season
114 days
Last Spring Frost May 29
114 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Idaho County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 31 – Sep 25
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 24 🍅 Harvest: Aug 26 – Oct 21

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 119 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,040 GDD — county provides 1,482 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Idaho County, ID

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 26
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Oct 2

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 โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

114 days

Growing Tips for Idaho 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 Idaho County, ID?

Idaho County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 29. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Idaho County, ID?

Idaho County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 29 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Idaho County gardeners in Zone 5a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Idaho County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.