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When to Plant Corn in Juniata County, PA

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.

Juniata County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 659 feet, Juniata County receives approximately 44.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Juniata County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Juniata County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,624 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Juniata County, PA

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 6a

Growing Season

181 days

Growing Tips for Juniata 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 Juniata County, PA?

Juniata County is in Zone 6a 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 Juniata County, PA?

Juniata County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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