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When to Plant Corn in Norfolk City, VA

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.

Norfolk City, Virginia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 240 days.

At an elevation of 231 feet, Norfolk City receives approximately 45.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Norfolk City, VA (Zone 8a) Long season
240 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
240 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Norfolk City Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 16 🍅 Harvest: May 18 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (121 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20

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
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,920 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Norfolk City, VA

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

240 days

Growing Tips for Norfolk City

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 Norfolk City, VA?

Norfolk City 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 Norfolk City, VA?

Norfolk City, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Norfolk City 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 Norfolk City, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.