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When to Plant Corn in Dickinson County, KS

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.

Dickinson County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 190 days.

At an elevation of 754 feet, Dickinson County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Dickinson County, KS (Zone 5b) Moderate season
190 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
190 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Dickinson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 13 – Aug 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,078 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,755 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Dickinson County, KS

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 19

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 5b

Growing Season

190 days

Growing Tips for Dickinson 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 Dickinson County, KS?

Dickinson County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dickinson County, KS?

Dickinson County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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