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When to Plant Corn in Butler County, NE

Corn

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.

Butler County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 837 feet, Butler County receives approximately 20.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 84°F, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Butler County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 10

Butler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Corn to Grow

1-2 ears
Average yield per plant
15
Plants per person
30 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 60 corn plants in about 120 sq ft. In Butler County's 170-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Corn Planting Timeline — Butler County, NE

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 – May 21
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 – Aug 27

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5b

📆 Growing Season

170 days in Butler County

Growing Tips for Butler County

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 Butler County, NE?

Butler County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Butler County, NE?

Butler County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 10.

🌱

Your Butler County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Butler 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.

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 Butler County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

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