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When to Plant Corn in Washington 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.

Washington County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 171 days.

At an elevation of 508 feet, Washington County receives approximately 29.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Washington County, NE (Zone 5b) Moderate season
171 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
171 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Washington 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 Washington County's 171-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Corn Planting Timeline — Washington 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

171 days in Washington County

Growing Tips for Washington 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 Washington County, NE?

Washington 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 Washington County, NE?

Washington County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 11.

🌱

Your Washington County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Washington 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 Washington 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.