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When to Plant Corn in Jackson County, KY

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.

Jackson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 1,120 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Jackson County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 23

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,165 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, KY

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest June 26 Jun 26 โ€“ Aug 21

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 6b

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Jackson 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 Jackson County, KY?

Jackson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, KY?

Jackson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 23.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Jackson County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.