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When to plant Corn in Dukes County County,

Dukes County County gardeners should plant Corn between May 2 and May 23 in spring. With Dukes County County's Zone 7b climate (last frost April 25), Corn needs 100 days to mature — plant by July 11 for a full harvest.

When to Plant Corn in Dukes County, MA

Corn
Dukes County, Massachusetts Zone 7b June

June in Dukes County, Massachusetts — your action list

Here's what deserves your attention in Dukes County, Massachusetts this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 7b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost April 25
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 77°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15 hrs
A few tasks this June that'll pay off in 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.

Dukes County, Massachusetts is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 177 days.

At an elevation of 676 feet, Dukes County receives approximately 48.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Dukes County, MA (Zone 7b) Moderate season
177 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
177 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Dukes County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (60 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Sep 10

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 Dukes County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.5) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Dukes 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 (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 177-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 11 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 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.8" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Dukes 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 2,832 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Dukes County, MA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 29

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 · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

📆 Growing Season

177 days in Dukes County

Growing Tips for Corn in Dukes County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 25 in Dukes 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 Dukes County, MA?

Dukes County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dukes County, MA?

Dukes County, Massachusetts is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Corn in Dukes County County, ?

In Dukes County County, , plant Corn after the last frost (around April 25) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Dukes County County, for Corn?

Dukes County County sits in USDA Zone 7b. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Dukes County County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Dukes County County's temperate climate. Dukes County County averages a 177-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 25 and first frost around October 19.

🌱

Your Dukes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Dukes County (Zone 7b). 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 Dukes County, MA. 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.