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When to Plant Corn in Dillon County, SC

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.

Dillon County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 228 days.

At an elevation of 410 feet, Dillon County receives approximately 55.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Corn, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Dillon County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
228 days
Last Spring Frost March 23
228 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Dillon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7

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 ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,503 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Dillon County, SC

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 30 Mar 30 โ€“ Apr 20
Harvest June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jul 27

Plant 1" deep ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 8a

Growing Season

228 days

Growing Tips for Dillon 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 Dillon County, SC?

Dillon County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 23. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dillon County, SC?

Dillon County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 23 and first fall frost is November 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dillon County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Dillon County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.