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When to Plant Corn in Cuming County, NE

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.

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 925 feet, Cuming County receives approximately 21.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Cuming County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cuming County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Sep 4

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 Cuming County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5โ€“7.2) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 172-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.4″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,193 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,365 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Cuming County, NE

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 26

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 Direct Sow
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

172 days in Cuming County

Growing Tips for Corn in Cuming County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 22 in Cuming 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.

Cuming County receives only 21" of rain annually. Corn needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cuming County, NE?

Cuming County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cuming County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cuming County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.