Blog

When to Plant Corn in Lexington 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.

Lexington County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 214 feet, Lexington County receives approximately 50.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Lexington County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Lexington County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (111 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jul 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Aug 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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,252 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Lexington County, SC

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 19
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Jul 26

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 Harvest
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

233 days

Growing Tips for Lexington 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 Lexington County, SC?

Lexington County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lexington County, SC?

Lexington County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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