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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Simpson County, KY

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.

Simpson County, Kentucky is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 206 days.

At an elevation of 3,996 feet, Simpson County receives approximately 49.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 89ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Simpson County, KY (Zone 6b) Long season
206 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
206 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Simpson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (102 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (101 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (101 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.

Soil Compatibility in Simpson County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.5โ€“6.7) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sweet Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.5%). 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

4
successive plantings in your 206-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 31 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 71 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,256 GDD — county provides 3,450 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Simpson County, KY

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 27

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 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 Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 6b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

206 days in Simpson County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Simpson County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 06 in Simpson 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.

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Simpson County, KY?

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

What planting zone is Simpson County, KY?

Simpson County, Kentucky is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Simpson County gardeners in Zone 6b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Simpson County, KY. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.