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When to Plant Corn in Bibb County, GA

Bibb County, Georgia Zone 8b May

This month in Bibb County, Georgia

Your Bibb County, Georgia garden is entering a new phase. Here's what's on the schedule for May and why each task matters now.

Avg. last frost March 22
Avg. first frost November 6
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: corn

    If you can't use it all right away, check the food-preservation section of your planner.

Before June arrives, get these ready
  • 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.

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 218 feet, Bibb County receives approximately 60.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Corn, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Bibb County, GA (Zone 8b) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 6

Bibb County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (115 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jul 8
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: May 24 – Jul 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (108 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7

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 Bibb County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.6) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.3%). 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 229-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/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 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 5.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 6" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 6.3" 0.2" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Bibb 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 ~1,640 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Bibb County, GA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 29 Mar 29 – Apr 19
Harvest May 31 May 31 – Jul 26

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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

229 days in Bibb County

Growing Tips for Corn in Bibb County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 22 in Bibb County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Bibb County's clay soil (33% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Corn. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

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 Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bibb County, GA?

Bibb County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 6.

🌱

Your Bibb County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Bibb County (Zone 8b). 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 Bibb County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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