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When to plant Corn in Rush County County,

Corn planted in Rush County County between May 1 and May 22 matures in 100 days — well before the October 15 first frost.

When to Plant Corn in Rush County, KS

Corn
Rush County, Kansas Zone 6b June

This month in Rush County, Kansas

Your garden in Rush County, Kansas is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this June.

Avg. last frost April 24
Avg. first frost October 15
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
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.

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and the first fall frost is October 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 174 days.

At an elevation of 759 feet, Rush County receives approximately 21.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Rush County, KS (Zone 6b) Moderate season
174 days
Last Spring Frost April 24
174 growing days
First Fall Frost October 15
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Rush County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 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 Rush County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4–7.3) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.4%). 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 174-day season

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

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.5″/week
You supply
1.2″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,814 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 1.5" 5" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 0.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Rush 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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,523 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Rush County, KS

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 1 May 1 – May 22
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 – Aug 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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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

174 days in Rush County

Growing Tips for Corn in Rush County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 24 in Rush 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.

Rush County receives only 22" of rain annually. Corn needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Rush County, KS?

Rush County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 24. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rush County, KS?

Rush County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 24 and first fall frost is October 15.

When should I plant Corn in Rush County, ?

In Rush County, , plant Corn after the last frost (around April 24) and before the first frost (around October 15). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Rush County, for Corn?

Rush 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 Rush County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Rush County's temperate climate. Rush County averages a 174-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 24 and first frost around October 15.

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Your Rush County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rush 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 Rush 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.