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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Oscoda 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.

Oscoda County, Michigan is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 133 days.

At an elevation of 765 feet, Oscoda County receives approximately 41 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 83ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Oscoda County, MI (Zone 4b) Short season
133 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
133 growing days
First Fall Frost September 30

Oscoda County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (26 days to spare)
Transplant: May 16 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Aug 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (28 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (30 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 2 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 15

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~919 GDD — county provides 1,629 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Oscoda County, MI

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jun 24
Harvest August 5 Aug 5 โ€“ Sep 16

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

133 days

Growing Tips for Oscoda 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 Oscoda County, MI?

Oscoda County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 20. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Oscoda County, MI?

Oscoda County, Michigan is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Oscoda County gardeners in Zone 4b 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 Oscoda County, MI. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.