Blog

When to Plant Corn in Lincoln County, NV

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.

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 180 days.

At an elevation of 5,852 feet, Lincoln County receives approximately 11.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Corn successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Lincoln County, NV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
180 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
180 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Lincoln County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (50 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Sep 14

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
0.3″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,983 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 3,825 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Lincoln County, NV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 17
Harvest June 28 Jun 28 โ€“ Aug 23

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

180 days

Growing Tips for Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lincoln County, NV?

Lincoln County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Lincoln County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Lincoln County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.