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When to Plant Corn in San Juan County, WA

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.

San Juan County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 222 days.

At an elevation of 371 feet, San Juan County receives approximately 40.9 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.

San Juan County, WA (Zone 8a) Long season
222 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
222 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

San Juan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,040 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~920 GDD — county provides 2,553 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” San Juan County, WA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 โ€“ Apr 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 โ€“ Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
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

222 days

Growing Tips for San Juan 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 San Juan County, WA?

San Juan County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 26. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is San Juan County, WA?

San Juan County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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