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When to plant Corn in Walton County, FL

In Zone 9a (Walton County), direct-sow Corn between March 21 and April 11 for spring, after the March 14 last-frost mark.

When to Plant Corn in Walton County, FL

Corn
Walton County, Florida Zone 9a June

What to do in June

A quick June briefing for Walton County, Florida gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost March 14
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 84°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14 hrs
  1. Bring in the corn

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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.

Walton County, Florida is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 200 feet, Walton County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 95°F, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Walton County, FL (Zone 9a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 14
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Walton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sand

Soil pH

4.8-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jul 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (127 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Aug 3

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 Walton County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.0) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Walton County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Corn will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.5%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 246-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 07 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,296 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 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 7.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.1" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 7.8" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Walton 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 ~1,700 GDD — county provides 5,227 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Walton County, FL

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 21 Mar 21 – Apr 11
Harvest May 23 May 23 – Jul 18

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 · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

246 days in Walton County

Growing Tips for Corn in Walton County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 14 in Walton County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Walton County dries quickly — mulch Corn with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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.

Recommended Corn Varieties for Walton County

Heat-tolerant varieties that silk well in high temps

Silver Queen (92d) Incredible (85d)

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 Walton County, FL?

Walton County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of March 14. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walton County, FL?

Walton County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is March 14 and first fall frost is November 15.

When should I plant Corn in Walton County, FL?

In Walton County, FL, plant Corn after the last frost (around March 14) and before the first frost (around November 15). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Walton County, FL for Corn?

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

Can Corn grow in Walton County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Walton County's temperate climate. Walton County averages a 246-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 14 and first frost around November 15.

🌱

Your Walton County Garden Planner — Free

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.