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When to plant Corn in Goodwin, AR

Plant Corn in Goodwin after March 20; the prime window is March 27–April 17.

When to Plant Corn in Goodwin, AR

Corn
St. Francis County, Arkansas Zone 8a June

Your June game plan for St. Francis County, Arkansas

Each item below is timed to St. Francis County, Arkansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost March 20
Avg. first frost November 9
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Pick corn

    This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.

Looking ahead to July
  • First harvests: corn

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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.

Goodwin, Arkansas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 9, giving you a growing season of approximately 234 days.

At an elevation of 1,429 feet, St. Francis County receives approximately 51.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Goodwin, AR (Zone 8a) Long season
234 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
234 growing days
First Fall Frost November 9

Goodwin Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 17
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6

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 Goodwin

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.7) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in St. Francis County is excellent for Corn — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 234-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 01 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,210 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 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.2" 1.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in St. Francis County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — 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" — every day above 50°F 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 ~1,280 GDD — county provides 3,744 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Goodwin, AR

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 – Apr 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 – Jul 24

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April Direct Sow
May Harvest
June Harvest
July Harvest
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

234 days in St. Francis County

Growing Tips for Corn in Goodwin

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 20 in St. Francis 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 →

When should I plant Corn in Goodwin, AR?

In Goodwin, AR, plant Corn after the last frost (around March 20) and before the first frost (around November 9). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Goodwin, AR for Corn?

Goodwin sits in USDA Zone 8a. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Goodwin's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Goodwin's temperate climate. Goodwin averages a 234-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 20 and first frost around November 9.

🌱

Your St. Francis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for St. Francis County (Zone 8a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 St. Francis County, AR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.