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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Daniels County, MT

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.

Daniels County, Montana is in USDA Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and the first fall frost is September 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 119 days.

At an elevation of 6,023 feet, Daniels County receives approximately 15.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 78ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Corn to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Sweet Corn successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Daniels County, MT (Zone 3b) Short season
119 days
Last Spring Frost May 20
119 growing days
First Fall Frost September 16

Daniels County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (12 days to spare)
Transplant: May 14 🍅 Harvest: Jul 16 – Aug 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (14 days to spare)
Transplant: May 20 🍅 Harvest: Jul 22 – Sep 2
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (6 days to spare)
Transplant: Jun 9 🍅 Harvest: Aug 11 – Sep 22

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
0.6″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 576 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~638 GDD — county provides 1,011 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Daniels County, MT

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 3b

Growing Season

119 days

Growing Tips for Daniels 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 Daniels County, MT?

Daniels County is in Zone 3b 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 Daniels County, MT?

Daniels County, Montana is in USDA Hardiness Zone 3b. The average last spring frost is May 20 and first fall frost is September 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Daniels County gardeners in Zone 3b 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 Daniels County, MT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.