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When to Plant Corn in Traill County, ND

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.

Traill County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 144 days.

At an elevation of 569 feet, Traill County receives approximately 24.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Traill County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
144 days
Last Spring Frost May 10
144 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Traill County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 12 – Sep 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (25 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 19

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
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 457 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~860 GDD — county provides 1,548 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Traill County, ND

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jun 14
Harvest July 26 Jul 26 โ€“ Sep 20

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

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 3b

Growing Season

144 days

Growing Tips for Traill 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 Traill County, ND?

Traill County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 10. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Traill County, ND?

Traill County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 10 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Traill County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Traill County, ND. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.