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When to plant Corn in Lapeer County County,

The best window to plant Corn in Lapeer County County, is May 7–May 28, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits April 30; first frost October 19.

When to Plant Corn in Lapeer County, MI

Corn
Lapeer County, Michigan Zone 6a June

Your June planting checklist for Lapeer County, Michigan

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Lapeer County, Michigan this June and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost April 30
Avg. first frost October 19
Soil temp (4") 70°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.2 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.

Lapeer County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 1,011 feet, Lapeer County receives approximately 36.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Lapeer County, MI (Zone 6a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 30
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19
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Lapeer County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 27 🍅 Harvest: Jun 29 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (53 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Aug 27
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Transplant: May 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 25 – Sep 19

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 Lapeer County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.8–7.2) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Lapeer 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 (3.9%). 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 172-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
0.9″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,624 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 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.4" 2.1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Lapeer 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 ~1,040 GDD — county provides 2,236 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Lapeer County, MI

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 7 May 7 – May 28
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Sep 3

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 Harvest
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 6a

📆 Growing Season

172 days in Lapeer County

Growing Tips for Corn in Lapeer County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 30 in Lapeer 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 Lapeer County, MI?

Lapeer County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 30. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lapeer County, MI?

Lapeer County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 30 and first fall frost is October 19.

When should I plant Corn in Lapeer County County, ?

In Lapeer County County, , plant Corn after the last frost (around April 30) and before the first frost (around October 19). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Lapeer County County, for Corn?

Lapeer County County sits in USDA Zone 6a. Corn grows reliably in zones 3a through 11b, so it's a good fit here.

Can Corn grow in Lapeer County County's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Lapeer County County's temperate climate. Lapeer County County averages a 172-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 30 and first frost around October 19.

🌱

Your Lapeer County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lapeer County (Zone 6a). 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 Lapeer 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.