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When to Plant Corn in Ellsworth 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.

Ellsworth County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 659 feet, Ellsworth County receives approximately 21.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Ellsworth County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Ellsworth County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25

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 1,075 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,342 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Ellsworth 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 6a

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth County, KS?

Ellsworth County is in Zone 6a 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 Ellsworth County, KS?

Ellsworth County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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