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When to Plant Corn in Philo, OH

Corn
Philo, OH Zone 6b June

This month in Philo, OH

June is a pivotal month for Philo, OH gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 29
Avg. first frost October 16
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 14.8 hrs
Coming up in July — start thinking about
  • First harvests: 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.

Philo, Ohio is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 29 and the first fall frost is October 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 170 days.

At an elevation of 1,048 feet, Muskingum County receives approximately 31.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Philo, OH (Zone 6b) Moderate season
170 days
Last Spring Frost April 29
170 growing days
First Fall Frost October 16
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Philo Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jun 28 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 26
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (45 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 12

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 Philo

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3–7.2) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Muskingum County is excellent for Corn — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.5%) — Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 170-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 08 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.9″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,315 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 — 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 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 3.8" 2.7" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.7" 3.8" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 2.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 1.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Muskingum 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 ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,465 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Philo, OH

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 6 May 6 – May 27
Harvest July 8 Jul 8 – Sep 2

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

170 days in Muskingum County

Growing Tips for Corn in Philo

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 29 in Muskingum County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌱

Your Muskingum County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Muskingum County (Zone 6b). 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 Muskingum County, OH. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.