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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Menominee 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.

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and the first fall frost is October 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 136 days.

At an elevation of 1,102 feet, Menominee County receives approximately 32.2 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.

Menominee County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
136 days
Last Spring Frost May 18
136 growing days
First Fall Frost October 1

Menominee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (32 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 20 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (31 days to spare)
Transplant: May 30 🍅 Harvest: Aug 1 – Sep 12

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 7 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~975 GDD — county provides 1,768 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Menominee County, MI

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 1 Jun 1 โ€“ Jun 22
Harvest August 3 Aug 3 โ€“ Sep 14

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

136 days

Growing Tips for Menominee 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 Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 18. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Menominee County, MI?

Menominee County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 18 and first fall frost is October 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Menominee 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 Menominee County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.