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When to plant Corn in Mcdaniel, MD

Plant Corn in Mcdaniel after April 1; the prime window is April 8–April 29.

When to Plant Corn in Mcdaniel, MD

Corn
Talbot County, Maryland Zone 8a June

June in Talbot County, Maryland — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Talbot County, Maryland this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 8a and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 1
Avg. first frost November 8
Soil temp (4") 76°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.7 hrs
  1. Basket week: corn

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

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.

Mcdaniel, Maryland is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 221 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Talbot County receives approximately 38.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Mcdaniel, MD (Zone 8a) Long season
221 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
221 growing days
First Fall Frost November 8

Mcdaniel Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 26 🍅 Harvest: May 28 – Jul 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21

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 Mcdaniel

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.1) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). 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 221-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.8″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,496 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 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 3.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Nov in Talbot 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 3,536 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Mcdaniel, MD

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 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 8a

📆 Growing Season

221 days in Talbot County

Growing Tips for Corn in Mcdaniel

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 01 in Talbot 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 →

When should I plant Corn in Mcdaniel, MD?

In Mcdaniel, MD, plant Corn after the last frost (around April 1) and before the first frost (around November 8). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Mcdaniel, MD for Corn?

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

Can Corn grow in Mcdaniel's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Mcdaniel's temperate climate. Mcdaniel averages a 221-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 1 and first frost around November 8.

🌱

Your Talbot County Garden Planner — Free

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