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When to Plant Corn in Stafford County, VA

Corn

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.

Stafford County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 537 feet, Stafford County receives approximately 47 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Stafford County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
215 growing days
First Fall Frost November 4

Stafford County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.9

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 Stafford County's 215-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 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 3.3" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 4.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 5.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 3.9" 0.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 2.9" 1.4" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 3.5" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Corn Planting Timeline — Stafford County, VA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 10 Apr 10 – May 1
Harvest June 12 Jun 12 – Aug 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

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 7a

📆 Growing Season

215 days in Stafford County

Growing Tips for Stafford 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 Stafford County, VA?

Stafford County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stafford County, VA?

Stafford County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 4.

🌱

Your Stafford County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Stafford County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Stafford County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: July 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.