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When to Plant Corn in Storey 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.

Storey County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 151 days.

At an elevation of 4,167 feet, Storey County receives approximately 11 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. 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.

Storey County, NV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
151 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
151 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Storey County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.2-8.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (36 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (23 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 8 – Oct 3

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 Storey County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.2โ€“8.2) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Storey County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Corn will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Corn

2
successive plantings in your 151-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 02 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.3″/week
You supply
2.0″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,651 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 3,095 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Storey County, NV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jun 9
Harvest July 21 Jul 21 โ€“ Sep 15

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

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: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

151 days in Storey County

Growing Tips for Corn in Storey County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after May 12 in Storey County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Storey County dries quickly โ€” mulch Corn with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

Storey County receives only 11" 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 Storey County, NV?

Storey County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Storey County, NV?

Storey County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Storey 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 Storey County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.