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When to Plant Corn in Suffolk County, NY

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.

Suffolk County, New York is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 199 days.

At an elevation of 1,187 feet, Suffolk County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Suffolk County, NY (Zone 7a) Moderate season
199 days
Last Spring Frost April 15
199 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Suffolk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (77 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (73 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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 239 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,482 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Suffolk County, NY

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 22 Apr 22 โ€“ May 13
Harvest June 24 Jun 24 โ€“ Aug 19

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 7a

Growing Season

199 days

Growing Tips for Suffolk 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 Suffolk County, NY?

Suffolk County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 15. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Suffolk County, NY?

Suffolk County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 15 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Suffolk County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Suffolk County, NY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.