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When to Plant Corn in Jerauld County, SD

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.

Jerauld County, South Dakota is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 156 days.

At an elevation of 775 feet, Jerauld County receives approximately 20.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 80ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Jerauld County, SD (Zone 4b) Moderate season
156 days
Last Spring Frost May 2
156 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Jerauld County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (39 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 2 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (34 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Sep 11

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 760 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~800 GDD — county provides 1,560 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Jerauld County, SD

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 16 May 16 โ€“ Jun 6
Harvest July 18 Jul 18 โ€“ Sep 12

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 Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

156 days

Growing Tips for Jerauld 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 Jerauld County, SD?

Jerauld County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 2. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jerauld County, SD?

Jerauld County, South Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 2 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jerauld County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Jerauld County, SD. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.