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When to Plant Corn in Muskingum County, OH

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.

Muskingum County, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Muskingum County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Muskingum County, OH (Zone 6a) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16

Muskingum County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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 Muskingum County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.2) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Muskingum County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) โ€” Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 170-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,315 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Corn needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,465 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Muskingum County, OH

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 โ€“ May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 โ€“ Sep 2

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 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: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

170 days in Muskingum County

Growing Tips for Corn in Muskingum County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 29 in Muskingum County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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 Muskingum County, OH?

Muskingum County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 29. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Muskingum County, OH?

Muskingum County, Ohio is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 29 and first fall frost is October 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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