Blog

When to Plant Sweet Corn in Camden County, GA

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.

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 295 days.

At an elevation of 194 feet, Camden County receives approximately 51.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, so Sweet Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Sweet Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Camden County, GA (Zone 9a) Year-round
295 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
295 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Camden County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (193 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 3 🍅 Harvest: Apr 7 – May 19
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (190 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 25

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 Camden County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.1โ€“6.1) is more acidic than Sweet Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Camden County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Sweet Corn will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sweet Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Corn.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

5
successive plantings in your 295-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 07 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.7″/week
You supply
0.3″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 834 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Corn

Sweet 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 Sweet Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 4.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Mar 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 6.5" 4.3" 2.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jun 6.5" 5.1" 1.4" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Jul 6.5" 5.7" 0.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Aug 6.5" 4.9" 1.6" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 3.7" 2.8" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 6.5" 4.2" 2.3" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Dec 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Febโ€“Dec in Camden County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sweet 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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.

Sweet Corn needs ~1,988 GDD — county provides 7,844 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Camden County, GA

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 14
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jun 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_acidic

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

295 days in Camden County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Camden County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after February 14 in Camden County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Camden County dries quickly โ€” mulch Sweet Corn with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

With summer highs reaching 102ยฐF in Camden County, provide afternoon shade for Sweet Corn and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Sweet 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 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Camden County, GA?

Camden County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Camden County, GA?

Camden County, Georgia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 6.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Camden County gardeners in Zone 9a 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 Camden County, GA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.