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When to plant Sweet Corn in Cedar County, MO

For Sweet Corn in Cedar County, the safe spring window opens around April 15 and closes around May 6. Last expected frost is April 8, first fall frost October 26, giving a 201-day growing season.

When to Plant Sweet Corn in Cedar County, MO

Cedar County, Missouri Zone 6b August

August to-do list for Cedar County, Missouri

Your garden in Cedar County, Missouri is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this August.

Avg. last frost April 8
Avg. first frost October 26
Soil temp (4") 83°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.5 hrs

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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.

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 201 days.

At an elevation of 1,062 feet, Cedar County receives approximately 32.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Cedar County, MO (Zone 6b) Long season
201 days
Last Spring Frost April 8
201 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Cedar County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Sweet Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (96 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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 Cedar County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.2–6.8) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.9%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Corn.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

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

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

3
successive plantings in your 201-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 28 to harvest before frost.

Sweet 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 1,480 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 1.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4" 2.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Cedar 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 ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,914 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline — Cedar County, MO

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 15 Apr 15 – May 6
Harvest June 17 Jun 17 – Jul 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

201 days in Cedar County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Cedar County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 08 in Cedar 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 Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 8. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cedar County, MO?

Cedar County, Missouri is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 8 and first fall frost is October 26.

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Cedar County, MO?

In Cedar County, MO, plant Sweet Corn after the last frost (around April 8) and before the first frost (around October 26). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Cedar County, MO for Sweet Corn?

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

Can Sweet Corn grow in Cedar County's climate?

Yes — Sweet Corn grows well in Cedar County's temperate climate. Cedar County averages a 201-day frost-free season, with last frost around April 8 and first frost around October 26.

🌱

Your Cedar County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Cedar 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 Cedar County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: August 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.