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When to plant Corn in Baldwin, GA

Spring Corn in Baldwin goes in April 2–April 23, once nighttime temps stop dipping near freezing.

When to Plant Corn in Baldwin, GA

Corn
Banks County, Georgia Zone 8a June

Your June gardening checklist

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

Avg. last frost March 26
Avg. first frost November 10
Soil temp (4") 79°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.3 hrs
  1. Start harvesting corn

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

To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • 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.

Baldwin, Georgia is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 109 feet, Banks County receives approximately 58.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 89°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.

Baldwin, GA (Zone 8a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 26
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Baldwin Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (110 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13

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 Baldwin

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–6.4) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Banks 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 (2.8%). 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 Aug 02 to harvest before frost.

Corn 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 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 6.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.4" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Banks 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 ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,835 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Baldwin, GA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 2 Apr 2 – Apr 23
Harvest June 4 Jun 4 – Jul 30

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May
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: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

📆 Growing Season

229 days in Banks County

Growing Tips for Corn in Baldwin

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 26 in Banks County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Banks County's clay soil (26% 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 →

When should I plant Corn in Baldwin, GA?

In Baldwin, GA, plant Corn after the last frost (around March 26) and before the first frost (around November 10). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Baldwin, GA for Corn?

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

Can Corn grow in Baldwin's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Baldwin's temperate climate. Baldwin averages a 229-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 26 and first frost around November 10.

🌱

Your Banks County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Banks 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 Banks County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.