Blog

When to Plant Corn in Walla Walla 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.

Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 178 days.

At an elevation of 3,151 feet, Walla Walla County receives approximately 23.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Walla Walla County, WA (Zone 6b) Moderate season
178 days
Last Spring Frost April 20
178 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15

Walla Walla County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (59 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 702 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,447 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Walla Walla County, WA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 27 Apr 27 โ€“ May 18
Harvest June 29 Jun 29 โ€“ Aug 24

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 Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 6b

Growing Season

178 days

Growing Tips for Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla County, WA?

Walla Walla County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 20. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walla Walla County, WA?

Walla Walla County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 20 and first fall frost is October 15.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Walla Walla County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Walla Walla County, WA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.