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When to Plant Corn in Le Sueur 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.

Le Sueur County, Minnesota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 628 feet, Le Sueur County receives approximately 41.9 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.

Le Sueur County, MN (Zone 4b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Le Sueur County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 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 1,911 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Le Sueur 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

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 4b

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur County, MN?

Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur County, MN?

Le Sueur County, Minnesota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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