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When to plant Corn in Reno County, KS

Plant Corn in Reno County, when soil hits 50°F — usually April 23. Continue planting through May 14 for the spring crop.

When to Plant Corn in Reno County, KS

Corn
Reno County, Kansas Zone 6b June

What to do in June

Each item below is timed to Reno County, Kansas's frost dates and soil temperatures. Skip nothing, stress about nothing.

Avg. last frost April 16
Avg. first frost October 22
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.6 hrs
  1. Basket week: corn

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

Looking ahead to July
  • 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.

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 189 days.

At an elevation of 635 feet, Reno County receives approximately 28.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Reno County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
189 days
Last Spring Frost April 16
189 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Reno County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (65 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (70 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Aug 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Aug 28

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 Reno County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.8%). 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 189-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 14 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,758 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3" 3.5" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Reno 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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,449 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Reno County, KS

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 23 Apr 23 – May 14
Harvest June 25 Jun 25 – Aug 20

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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

189 days in Reno County

Growing Tips for Corn in Reno County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 16 in Reno 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 Reno County, KS?

Reno County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 16. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Reno County, KS?

Reno County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 16 and first fall frost is October 22.

When should I plant Corn in Reno County, KS?

In Reno County, KS, plant Corn after the last frost (around April 16) and before the first frost (around October 22). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Reno County, KS for Corn?

Reno 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 Reno County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Reno County's temperate climate. Reno County averages a 189-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 16 and first frost around October 22.

🌱

Your Reno County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Reno 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 Reno County, KS. 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.