Blog

When to plant Corn in Fairdealing, MO

The best window to plant Corn in Fairdealing, is April 3–April 24, when soil warms to 50°F. Last frost typically hits March 27; first frost November 2.

When to Plant Corn in Fairdealing, MO

Corn
Ripley County, Missouri Zone 7a June

June in the garden — Ripley County, Missouri

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this June, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost March 27
Avg. first frost November 2
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.5 hrs
  1. Basket week: corn

    The more you pick, the more the plant produces. Letting fruit overripen tells the plant it's time to stop.

Get ahead of July
  • First harvests: corn

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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.

Fairdealing, Missouri is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 27 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 220 days.

At an elevation of 1,300 feet, Ripley County receives approximately 38.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Fairdealing, MO (Zone 7a) Long season
220 days
Last Spring Frost March 27
220 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Fairdealing Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 19 🍅 Harvest: May 21 – Jul 16
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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 Fairdealing

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.8) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.8%). 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 220-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,811 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

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 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 2.6" 3.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Apr 6.5" 3.5" 3" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.7" 1.8" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 6.5" 2.4" 4.1" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 2.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Ripley 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 ~1,340 GDD — county provides 3,685 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Fairdealing, MO

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 3 Apr 3 – Apr 24
Harvest June 5 Jun 5 – Jul 31

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
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 7a

📆 Growing Season

220 days in Ripley County

Growing Tips for Corn in Fairdealing

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 27 in Ripley 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 Fairdealing, MO?

In Fairdealing, MO, plant Corn after the last frost (around March 27) and before the first frost (around November 2). Best results when soil holds above 50°F.

What growing zone is Fairdealing, MO for Corn?

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

Can Corn grow in Fairdealing's climate?

Yes — Corn grows well in Fairdealing's temperate climate. Fairdealing averages a 220-day frost-free season, with last frost around March 27 and first frost around November 2.

🌱

Your Ripley County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Ripley County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Ripley County, MO. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.