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When to Plant Corn in Carter County, OK

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.

Carter County, Oklahoma is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 219 days.

At an elevation of 648 feet, Carter County receives approximately 34.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Carter County, OK (Zone 7b) Long season
219 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
219 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Carter County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 18
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (100 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 19 – Aug 14

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 Carter County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.5) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Carter County is excellent for Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.3%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 219-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 25 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
1.6″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 3,027 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 4,325 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Carter County, OK

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Aug 1

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 โ€”
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

1.5"/week ยท 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

219 days in Carter County

Growing Tips for Corn in Carter County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 28 in Carter 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Carter County, OK?

Carter County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Carter County, OK?

Carter County, Oklahoma is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Carter County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Carter County, OK. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.