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When to Plant Corn in Pleasants County, WV

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.

Pleasants County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 2,235 feet, Pleasants County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Pleasants County, WV (Zone 6a) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Pleasants County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 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.

Soil Compatibility in Pleasants County

How your county's soil matches Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8โ€“6.8) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Pleasants County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 174-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Corn

Corn needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 4.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 4.3" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4" 2.5" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 3.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 3.9" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Pleasants County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Corn Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Corn needs ~1,100 GDD — county provides 2,392 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Pleasants County, WV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 โ€“ May 26
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 โ€“ Sep 1

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท Natural rainfall sufficient

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

174 days in Pleasants County

Growing Tips for Corn in Pleasants County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 28 in Pleasants County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Pleasants County, WV?

Pleasants County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Pleasants County, WV?

Pleasants County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 19.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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