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When to Plant Corn in Mifflin 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.

Mifflin 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 1,022 feet, Mifflin County receives approximately 45.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

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

Mifflin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Mifflin County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.9โ€“6.4) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 181-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 708 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,220 GDD — county provides 2,760 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Mifflin 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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

181 days in Mifflin County

Growing Tips for Corn in Mifflin County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 24 in Mifflin 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 Mifflin County, PA?

Mifflin 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 Mifflin County, PA?

Mifflin 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 Mifflin County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Mifflin County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.