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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Amador County, CA

Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content in its kernels, which convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Modern supersweet varieties hold their sweetness longer.

Amador County, California is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost is November 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 262 days.

At an elevation of 1,335 feet, Amador County receives approximately 42.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Amador County, CA (Zone 8a) Long season
262 days
Last Spring Frost March 8
262 growing days
First Fall Frost November 25

Amador County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.7-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (172 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 5 🍅 Harvest: Apr 9 – May 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (157 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 883 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Corn needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 4,388 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Amador County, CA

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 โ€“ Apr 5
Harvest May 17 May 17 โ€“ Jun 28

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

262 days

Growing Tips for Amador County

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows for wind pollination. Direct sow after soil is warm. Isolate supersweet varieties from other corn types to prevent cross-pollination.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Amador County, CA?

Amador County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 8. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Amador County, CA?

Amador County, California is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 8 and first fall frost is November 25.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Amador County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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