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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Haskell County, KS

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.

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and the first fall frost is October 18, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 824 feet, Haskell County receives approximately 24.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 85ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Haskell County, KS (Zone 6a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 18
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 18

Haskell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (79 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16

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 Haskell County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.4โ€“7.4) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Haskell County is excellent for Sweet Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is excellent (4.3%) โ€” Sweet Corn will thrive.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

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

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

3
successive plantings in your 183-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 20 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.6″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 1,837 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

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€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Apr 6.5" 2.5" 4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
May 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jun 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Jul 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Aug 6.5" 2.3" 4.2" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Sep 6.5" 2.2" 4.3" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Oct 6.5" 2.1" 4.4" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Nov โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Dec โ€” 1.5" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Aprโ€“Oct in Haskell 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 ~1,031 GDD — county provides 2,516 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Haskell County, KS

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ May 16
Harvest June 27 Jun 27 โ€“ Aug 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 2-3 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

183 days in Haskell County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Haskell County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 18 in Haskell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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.

Haskell County receives only 24" of rain annually. Sweet Corn needs consistent moisture โ€” install drip irrigation or water deeply 2-3 times per week.

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 Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County is in Zone 6a with an average last frost of April 18. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Haskell County, KS?

Haskell County, Kansas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a. The average last spring frost is April 18 and first fall frost is October 18.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Haskell County gardeners in Zone 6a 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 Haskell County, KS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.