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When to Plant Corn in Owyhee 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.

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and the first fall frost is September 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 103 days.

At an elevation of 4,621 feet, Owyhee County receives approximately 18.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Owyhee County, ID (Zone 6a) Short season
103 days
Last Spring Frost June 9
103 growing days
First Fall Frost September 20

Owyhee 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: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Oct 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (1 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 19 🍅 Harvest: Aug 21 – Oct 16

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.

Soil Compatibility in Owyhee County

How your county's soil matches Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.8) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Owyhee County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.7%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 838 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 1,802 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Owyhee County, ID

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 7
Harvest August 18 Aug 18 โ€“ Oct 13

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

103 days in Owyhee County

Growing Tips for Corn in Owyhee County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after June 09 in Owyhee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 103.0-day growing season in Owyhee County is tight for Corn (60.0-100.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Owyhee County receives only 18" of rain annually. Corn needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

General growing tips

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.

Recommended Corn Varieties for Owyhee County

Ultra-early corn varieties for your season

Earlivee (58d) Sugar Buns (72d) Early Sunglow (63d)

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 9. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Owyhee County, ID?

Owyhee County, Idaho is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 9 and first fall frost is September 20.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Owyhee 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 Owyhee County, ID. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.