Blog

When to Plant Corn in Union 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.

Union County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 1,482 feet, Union County receives approximately 48.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Union County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Union County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (88 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (89 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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.

Soil Compatibility in Union County

How your county's soil matches Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.6) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Union County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 208-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 23 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 953 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 3,016 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Union County, KY

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Aug 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

208 days in Union County

Growing Tips for Corn in Union County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 06 in Union County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Union County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Union County, KY?

Union County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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