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When to Plant Corn in Chittenden County, VT

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.

Chittenden County, Vermont is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 146 days.

At an elevation of 235 feet, Chittenden County receives approximately 38.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 82ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Chittenden County, VT (Zone 4b) Short season
146 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
146 growing days
First Fall Frost October 5

Chittenden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (21 days to spare)
Transplant: May 6 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Sep 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (24 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 1 🍅 Harvest: Aug 3 – Sep 28

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~920 GDD — county provides 1,679 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Chittenden County, VT

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 22

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

146 days

Growing Tips for Chittenden 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 Chittenden County, VT?

Chittenden County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Chittenden County, VT?

Chittenden County, Vermont is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 5.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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