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When to plant Corn in Ripley County, IN

Plant Corn in Ripley County from April 17 to May 8 in spring. Ripley County sits in USDA Zone 6b, with last frost around April 10 and first frost on October 20.

When to Plant Corn in Ripley County, IN

Corn
Ripley County, Indiana Zone 6b June

June in Ripley County, Indiana — your action list

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

Avg. last frost April 10
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Start harvesting corn

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

July prep starts now
  • 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.

Ripley County, Indiana is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 193 days.

At an elevation of 772 feet, Ripley County receives approximately 35.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Ripley County, IN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
193 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
193 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Ripley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.9-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jun 12 – Aug 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26

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 Ripley County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.9–6.8) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.8%) — Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 193-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 12 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,242 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 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Ripley 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 3,088 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Ripley County, IN

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 – May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 – Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
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: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

193 days in Ripley County

Growing Tips for Corn in Ripley County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 10 in Ripley 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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Ripley County, IN?

Ripley County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Ripley County, IN?

Ripley County, Indiana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 20.

When should I plant Corn in Ripley County, IN?

In Ripley County, IN, plant Corn after the last frost (around April 10) and before the first frost (around October 20). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Ripley County, IN for Corn?

Ripley County sits in USDA Zone 6b. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Ripley County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Ripley County's temperate climate. Ripley County averages a 193-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 10 and first frost around October 20.

🌱

Your Ripley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ripley County (Zone 6b). 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 Ripley County, IN. 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.