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When to Plant Corn in Hancock County, ME

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.

Hancock County, Maine is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 158 days.

At an elevation of 654 feet, Hancock County receives approximately 45.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Hancock County, ME (Zone 5a) Moderate season
158 days
Last Spring Frost May 6
158 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Hancock County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,409 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Hancock County, ME

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 13 May 13 โ€“ Jun 3
Harvest July 15 Jul 15 โ€“ Sep 9

Plant 1" deep ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5a

Growing Season

158 days

Growing Tips for Hancock 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 Hancock County, ME?

Hancock County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 6. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hancock County, ME?

Hancock County, Maine is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 6 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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