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When to Plant Corn in Doddridge County, WV

Doddridge County, West Virginia Zone 6b May

May in the garden — Doddridge County, West Virginia

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost April 28
Avg. first frost October 18
Soil temp (4") 63°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.1 hrs
  1. Seed corn outdoors

    Your soil is 63°F — warm enough for these to germinate without babying.

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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.

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 173 days.

At an elevation of 1,474 feet, Doddridge County receives approximately 48.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Doddridge County, WV (Zone 6b) Moderate season
173 days
Last Spring Frost April 28
173 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18
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Doddridge County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jun 26 – Aug 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 30 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (49 days to spare)
Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 13

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 Doddridge County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.0) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Doddridge County is excellent for Corn — 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 173-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 10 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.2″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 489 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 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
May 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 4.5" 2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 4.1" 2.4" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.1" 3.4" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 3.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Doddridge 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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 3,157 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Doddridge County, WV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 5 May 5 – May 26
Harvest July 7 Jul 7 – Sep 1

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 Harvest
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

📆 Growing Season

173 days in Doddridge County

Growing Tips for Corn in Doddridge County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 28 in Doddridge 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 28. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Doddridge County, WV?

Doddridge County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 28 and first fall frost is October 18.

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Your Doddridge County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Doddridge 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 Doddridge County, WV. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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