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When to Plant Corn in Kanabec 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.

Kanabec County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 1,316 feet, Kanabec County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Kanabec County, MN (Zone 4a) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 3
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Kanabec County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: May 19 🍅 Harvest: Jul 21 – Sep 15

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~920 GDD — county provides 1,736 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Kanabec County, MN

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 7
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Sep 13

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 4a

Growing Season

151 days

Growing Tips for Kanabec 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 Kanabec County, MN?

Kanabec County is in Zone 4a with an average last frost of May 3. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kanabec County, MN?

Kanabec County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4a. The average last spring frost is May 3 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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