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When to plant Corn in Pinecrest,

Plant Corn in Pinecrest after April 25; the prime window is May 2–May 23.

When to Plant Corn in Pinecrest, CA

Corn
Pinecrest, CA Zone 9b June

This month in Pinecrest, CA

Welcome to June in Zone 9b. These are the moves that will have the biggest impact on your growing season.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 27
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • 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.

Pinecrest, California is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 185 days.

At an elevation of 2,990 feet, Tuolumne County receives approximately 37.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Pinecrest, CA (Zone 9b) Moderate season
185 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
185 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Pinecrest Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.6-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 20 🍅 Harvest: Aug 22 – Oct 17

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 Pinecrest

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.6–7.5) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 185-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 19 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,273 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 8.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 1.1" 5.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 0.2" 6.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 0" 6.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 0" 6.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 0.4" 6.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.5" 5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 6.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Tuolumne 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 2,960 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Pinecrest, CA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

185 days in Tuolumne County

Growing Tips for Corn in Pinecrest

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 25 in Tuolumne 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 Pinecrest, ?

In Pinecrest, , plant Corn after the last frost (around April 25) and before the first frost (around October 27). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Pinecrest, for Corn?

Pinecrest sits in USDA Zone 9b. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Pinecrest's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Pinecrest's temperate climate. Pinecrest averages a 185-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 25 and first frost around October 27.

🌱

Your Tuolumne County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Tuolumne County (Zone 9b). 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 Tuolumne County, CA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.