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When to Plant Corn in Goodhue 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.

Goodhue County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 164 days.

At an elevation of 1,136 feet, Goodhue County receives approximately 34 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.

Goodhue County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
164 days
Last Spring Frost April 27
164 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Goodhue County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 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.

Soil Compatibility in Goodhue County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“6.7) is within Corn's preferred range (6.0โ€“7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.9%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 164-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jun 30 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 918 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~980 GDD — county provides 2,009 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Goodhue County, MN

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 11 May 11 โ€“ Jun 1
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Sep 7

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 1-2 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

164 days in Goodhue County

Growing Tips for Corn in Goodhue County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 27 in Goodhue 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 Goodhue County, MN?

Goodhue County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of April 27. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Goodhue County, MN?

Goodhue County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 27 and first fall frost is October 8.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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