Blog

When to Plant Corn in Putnam County, NY

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.

Putnam County, New York is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 205 days.

At an elevation of 722 feet, Putnam County receives approximately 40.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Putnam County, NY (Zone 6a) Long season
205 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
205 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Putnam County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.3

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 Putnam County's 205-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Monthly Watering Guide for Corn

Corn needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 3.1" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 3.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 4.3" 4" 0.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 4.3" 3.2" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.3" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec โ€” 2.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Nov in Putnam County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Putnam County, NY

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest June 19 Jun 19 โ€“ Aug 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: N/A

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

205 days in Putnam County

Growing Tips for Putnam 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 Putnam County, NY?

Putnam County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Putnam County, NY?

Putnam County, New York is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Putnam County gardeners in Zone 6a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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