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When to Plant Corn in White Pine County, NV

White Pine County, Nevada Zone 6a May

Top priorities for White Pine County, Nevada gardeners in May

May is a pivotal month for White Pine County, Nevada gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost June 12
Avg. first frost September 12
Soil temp (4") 39°F
Watering Critical
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • Direct-sowing: 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.

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and the first fall frost is September 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 92 days.

At an elevation of 6,766 feet, White Pine County receives approximately 15 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Corn successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

White Pine County, NV (Zone 6a) Very short season
92 days
Last Spring Frost June 12
92 growing days
First Fall Frost September 12
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White Pine County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.7-8.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 9 – Oct 4
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 14 – Oct 9
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 21 🍅 Harvest: Aug 23 – Oct 18

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 White Pine County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.7–8.3) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in White Pine County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Corn will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (0.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

How Much Corn to Grow

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

For a family of 4, plant approximately 60 corn plants in about 180 sq ft. In White Pine County's 92-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.5″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,243 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 10/10 — 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 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 0.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 0.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 6.5" 0.5" 6" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 1.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in White Pine 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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 1,679 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline — White Pine County, NV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 19 Jun 19 – Jul 10
Harvest August 21 Aug 21 – Oct 16

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May
June Direct Sow
July Direct Sow
August Harvest
September Harvest
October Harvest
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: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

📆 Growing Season

92 days in White Pine County

Growing Tips for Corn in White Pine County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after June 12 in White Pine County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in White Pine County dries quickly — mulch Corn with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 92.0-day growing season in White Pine County is tight for Corn (60.0-100.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

White Pine County receives only 15" of rain annually. Corn needs consistent moisture — install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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.

Recommended Corn Varieties for White Pine County

Ultra-early corn varieties for your season

Earlivee (58d) Sugar Buns (72d) Early Sunglow (63d)

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 White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of June 12. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is White Pine County, NV?

White Pine County, Nevada is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is June 12 and first fall frost is September 12.

🌱

Your White Pine County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for White Pine 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 White Pine County, NV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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