Blog

When to Plant Corn in Iowa County, IA

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.

Iowa County, Iowa is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 169 days.

At an elevation of 1,014 feet, Iowa County receives approximately 40.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Iowa County, IA (Zone 5a) Moderate season
169 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
169 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Iowa County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 7

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 521 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,577 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Iowa County, IA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 โ€“ May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 โ€“ Aug 29

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 โ€”
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

169 days

Growing Tips for Iowa 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 Iowa County, IA?

Iowa County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iowa County, IA?

Iowa County, Iowa is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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