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When to Plant Corn in La Pine, OR

Corn
La Pine, OR Zone 6b June

What to do in June

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

Avg. last frost June 15
Avg. first frost September 13
Soil temp (4") 74°F
Watering High
Pest pressure High
Daylight 15.3 hrs
  1. Sow corn where they'll grow

    Sow every 2 weeks for a continuous harvest. A single big planting means a single big glut.

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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.

La Pine, Oregon is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is June 15 and the first fall frost is September 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 90 days.

At an elevation of 221 feet, Deschutes County receives approximately 54.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Corn to ensure they mature before fall. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

La Pine, OR (Zone 6b) Very short season
90 days
Last Spring Frost June 15
90 growing days
First Fall Frost September 13

La Pine Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 3 🍅 Harvest: Aug 5 – Sep 30
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 15 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Oct 12
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Jun 26 🍅 Harvest: Aug 28 – Oct 23

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 La Pine

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4–6.2) is more acidic than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (5.0%) — Corn will thrive.

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 Deschutes County's 90-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
2.6″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

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 7.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Jun 6.5" 2.5" 4" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 1" 5.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 1" 5.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Nov 7.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 9.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Jun–Sep in Deschutes 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 ~860 GDD — county provides 967 GDD Good fit

Corn Planting Timeline — La Pine, OR

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 22 Jun 22 – Jul 13
Harvest August 24 Aug 24 – Oct 19

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

90 days in Deschutes County

Growing Tips for Corn in La Pine

Direct sow Corn outdoors after June 15 in Deschutes County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Your 90.0-day growing season in Deschutes 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.

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 La Pine

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 →

🌱

Your Deschutes County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Deschutes 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 Deschutes County, OR. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.