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When to plant Sweet Corn in Iosco County County,

Iosco County County's short 142-day growing season means one Sweet Corn planting between May 21 and June 11. No fall crop in Zone 5b.

When to Plant Sweet Corn in Iosco County, MI

Iosco County, Michigan Zone 5b June

What to do in June

Here's what deserves your attention in Iosco County, Michigan this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 5b and timed around your local frost dates.

Avg. last frost May 14
Avg. first frost October 3
Soil temp (4") 69°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
To set up a strong July, finish these tasks
  • First harvests: sweet corn

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Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content in its kernels, which convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Modern supersweet varieties hold their sweetness longer.

Iosco County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 142 days.

At an elevation of 696 feet, Iosco County receives approximately 37.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Iosco County, MI (Zone 5b) Short season
142 days
Last Spring Frost May 14
142 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3
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Iosco County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Sweet Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: May 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (37 days to spare)
Transplant: May 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – 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 Iosco County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–6.9) is within Sweet Corn's preferred range (6.0–7.0).

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.4%) — Sweet Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

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

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

2
successive plantings in your 142-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 05 to harvest before frost.

Sweet Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 494 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Corn

Sweet 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 Sweet Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 2.9" 3.6" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Oct in Iosco County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sweet 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.

Sweet Corn needs ~1,200 GDD — county provides 2,272 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline — Iosco County, MI

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 21 May 21 – Jun 11
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 – Sep 3

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: ideal

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

142 days in Iosco County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Iosco County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after May 14 in Iosco County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Sweet 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 for wind pollination. Direct sow after soil is warm. Isolate supersweet varieties from other corn types to prevent cross-pollination.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Iosco County, MI?

Iosco County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 14. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Iosco County, MI?

Iosco County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 14 and first fall frost is October 3.

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Iosco County County, ?

In Iosco County County, , plant Sweet Corn after the last frost (around May 14) and before the first frost (around October 3). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Iosco County County, for Sweet Corn?

Iosco County County sits in USDA Zone 5b. Sweet Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Sweet Corn grow in Iosco County County's climate?

Yes — Sweet Corn grows well in Iosco County County's temperate climate. Iosco County County averages a 142-day frost-free season, with last frost around May 14 and first frost around October 3.

🌱

Your Iosco County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Iosco County (Zone 5b). 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 Iosco County, MI. 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.