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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Luce County, MI

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.

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and the first fall frost is October 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 134 days.

At an elevation of 1,157 feet, Luce County receives approximately 36.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 84ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Luce County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
134 days
Last Spring Frost May 22
134 growing days
First Fall Frost October 3

Luce County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: May 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 17 – Aug 28
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (29 days to spare)
Transplant: May 22 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 4
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (27 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 8 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Sep 21

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Corn needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,742 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Luce County, MI

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 5 Jun 5 โ€“ Jun 26
Harvest August 7 Aug 7 โ€“ Sep 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May โ€”
June Direct Sow
July โ€”
August Harvest
September Harvest
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 4b

Growing Season

134 days

Growing Tips for Luce 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 Luce County, MI?

Luce County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 22. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Luce County, MI?

Luce County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 22 and first fall frost is October 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Luce County gardeners in Zone 4b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Luce County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.