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When to Plant Corn in Cavalier County, ND

Cavalier County, North Dakota Zone 3b May

May in the garden — Cavalier County, North Dakota

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

Avg. last frost May 13
Avg. first frost September 28
Soil temp (4") 52°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 15 hrs
  1. Put corn seeds straight in the ground

    Succession planting is the secret here. Put in a row now, another in 2 weeks, a third in 4.

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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.

Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and the first fall frost is September 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 138 days.

At an elevation of 568 feet, Cavalier County receives approximately 27.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78°F, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Cavalier County, ND (Zone 3b) Short season
138 days
Last Spring Frost May 13
138 growing days
First Fall Frost September 28
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Cavalier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.4

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 Cavalier County's 138-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 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 0.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Aug 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 1.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 0.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 0.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (May–Sep in Cavalier County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Corn Planting Timeline — Cavalier County, ND

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 27 May 27 – Jun 17
Harvest July 29 Jul 29 – Sep 23

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
October
November
December
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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 3b

📆 Growing Season

138 days in Cavalier County

Growing Tips for Cavalier 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 Cavalier County, ND?

Cavalier County is in Zone 3b with an average last frost of May 13. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cavalier County, ND?

Cavalier County, North Dakota is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 13 and first fall frost is September 28.

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Your Cavalier County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Cavalier County (Zone 3b). 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 Cavalier County, ND. 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.