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When to Plant Corn in De Baca County, NM

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.

De Baca County, New Mexico is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 4,981 feet, De Baca County receives approximately 15.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, 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.

De Baca County, NM (Zone 7a) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

De Baca County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Jul 7 – Sep 1

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
0.4″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,781 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 3,515 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” De Baca County, NM

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 22
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Aug 28

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 โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for De Baca 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 De Baca County, NM?

De Baca County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is De Baca County, NM?

De Baca County, New Mexico is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help De Baca County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 De Baca County, NM. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.