Blog

When to Plant Corn in Lewis County, WA

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.

Lewis County, Washington is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 182 days.

At an elevation of 327 feet, Lewis County receives approximately 37.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Lewis County, WA (Zone 8a) Moderate season
182 days
Last Spring Frost April 25
182 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Lewis County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.2

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 Lewis County's 182-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 5.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 4.3" 2.8" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
May 4.3" 2" 2.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jun 4.3" 1.3" 3" 🚿 Regular watering
Jul 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Aug 4.3" 0.6" 3.7" 🚿 Regular watering
Sep 4.3" 1.4" 2.9" 🚿 Regular watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 5.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Corn Planting Timeline — Lewis County, WA

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 2 May 2 – May 23
Harvest July 4 Jul 4 – Aug 29

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
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 8a

📆 Growing Season

182 days in Lewis County

Growing Tips for Lewis 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 Lewis County, WA?

Lewis County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of April 25. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Lewis County, WA?

Lewis County, Washington is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is April 25 and first fall frost is October 24.

🌱

Your Lewis County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Lewis County (Zone 8a). 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 Lewis County, WA. 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.