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When to Plant Corn in Morgan County, WV

Morgan County, West Virginia Zone 7a May

This month in Morgan County, West Virginia

Your garden in Morgan County, West Virginia is working on a schedule, even when you're not. Here's where you should be this May.

Avg. last frost April 22
Avg. first frost October 20
Soil temp (4") 57°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 14.2 hrs

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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.

Morgan County, West Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 20, giving you a growing season of approximately 181 days.

At an elevation of 2,387 feet, Morgan County receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Morgan County, WV (Zone 7a) Moderate season
181 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
181 growing days
First Fall Frost October 20

Morgan County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jun 15 – Aug 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (62 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (54 days to spare)
Transplant: May 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Sep 9

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 Morgan County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5–7.0) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.2%). 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 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 398 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 4.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 3.9" 2.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" 💧 Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.2" 3.3" 🚿 Regular watering
Nov 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 4.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Morgan 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 ~1,400 GDD — county provides 3,167 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Morgan County, WV

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 – May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 – Aug 26

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

181 days in Morgan County

Growing Tips for Corn in Morgan County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after April 22 in Morgan 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 Morgan County, WV?

Morgan County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Morgan County, WV?

Morgan County, West Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 20.

🌱

Your Morgan County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Morgan 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.

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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 Morgan 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.