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When to Plant Corn in Patrick County, VA

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.

Patrick County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 869 feet, Patrick County receives approximately 40 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Patrick County, VA (Zone 7a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 23
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Patrick County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Aug 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Aug 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (55 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Sep 8

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 Patrick County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.6โ€“6.9) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

3
successive plantings in your 181-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 13 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 921 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,580 GDD — county provides 3,574 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Patrick County, VA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 21
Harvest July 2 Jul 2 โ€“ Aug 27

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 โ€”
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 1-2 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 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

181 days in Patrick County

Growing Tips for Corn in Patrick County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 23 in Patrick 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 Patrick County, VA?

Patrick County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 23. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Patrick County, VA?

Patrick County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 23 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Patrick County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Patrick County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.