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When to Plant Corn in Lafayette County, MS

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.

Lafayette County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 456 feet, Lafayette County receives approximately 55.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Corn, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Lafayette County, MS (Zone 7b) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
218 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Lafayette County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 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
1.1″/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 ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,469 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Lafayette County, MS

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jul 31

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

218 days

Growing Tips for Lafayette 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 Lafayette County, MS?

Lafayette County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 27. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lafayette County, MS?

Lafayette County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 27 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lafayette County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Lafayette County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.