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When to Plant Corn in Brown County, MN

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.

Brown County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 7, giving you a growing season of approximately 160 days.

At an elevation of 1,199 feet, Brown County receives approximately 31.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Brown County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
160 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
160 growing days
First Fall Frost October 7

Brown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.1-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (41 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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 Brown County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.1โ€“7.0) is within Corn's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.2%) โ€” Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 160-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,137 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~980 GDD — county provides 1,960 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Brown County, MN

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 14 May 14 โ€“ Jun 4
Harvest July 16 Jul 16 โ€“ Sep 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: ideal

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 4b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

160 days in Brown County

Growing Tips for Corn in Brown County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 30 in Brown 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 Brown County, MN?

Brown County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Brown County, MN?

Brown County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 7.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Brown County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Brown County, MN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.