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When to Plant Corn in Door County, WI

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.

Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and the first fall frost is October 8, giving you a growing season of approximately 150 days.

At an elevation of 564 feet, Door County receives approximately 41.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 87°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season.

Door County, WI (Zone 5b) Moderate season
150 days
Last Spring Frost May 11
150 growing days
First Fall Frost October 8

Door County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.3

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 Door County's 150-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 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 1.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 2.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
May 4.3" 4.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.6" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 2.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

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

Corn Planting Timeline — Door County, WI

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 18 May 18 – Jun 8
Harvest July 20 Jul 20 – Sep 14

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 5b

📆 Growing Season

150 days in Door County

Growing Tips for Door 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 Door County, WI?

Door County is in Zone 5b with an average last frost of May 11. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Door County, WI?

Door County, Wisconsin is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b. The average last spring frost is May 11 and first fall frost is October 8.

🌱

Your Door County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Door County (Zone 5b). 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 Door County, WI. 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.