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When to Plant Corn in Mason 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.

Mason County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 3,461 feet, Mason County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Mason County, KY (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (72 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Sep 3

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
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 75 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Mason County, KY

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 6b

Growing Season

189 days

Growing Tips for Mason 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 Mason County, KY?

Mason County is in Zone 6b 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 Mason County, KY?

Mason County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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