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When to Plant Corn in Westmoreland 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.

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 894 feet, Westmoreland County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Westmoreland County, PA (Zone 6a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Westmoreland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (69 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (67 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 221 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,412 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Westmoreland County, PA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 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

187 days

Growing Tips for Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, PA?

Westmoreland County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Westmoreland County, PA?

Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County, PA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.