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When to Plant Corn in Iroquois County, IL

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.

Iroquois County, Illinois is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 1,345 feet, Iroquois County receives approximately 30 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Iroquois County, IL (Zone 5a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 13

Iroquois County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2

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
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,126 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,447 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Iroquois County, IL

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 22

Plant 1" deep ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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

178 days

Growing Tips for Iroquois 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 Iroquois County, IL?

Iroquois County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iroquois County, IL?

Iroquois County, Illinois is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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