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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Cass County, NE

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.

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost is October 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 172 days.

At an elevation of 779 feet, Cass County receives approximately 20.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Cass County, NE (Zone 5a) Moderate season
172 days
Last Spring Frost April 22
172 growing days
First Fall Frost October 11

Cass 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 (68 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 16 🍅 Harvest: Jun 18 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (67 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Aug 5
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (71 days to spare)
Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 5 – Aug 16

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
0.5″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 908 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,494 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Cass County, NE

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 29 Apr 29 โ€“ May 20
Harvest July 1 Jul 1 โ€“ Aug 12

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 โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 5a

Growing Season

172 days

Growing Tips for Cass 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 Cass County, NE?

Cass County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of April 22. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cass County, NE?

Cass County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is April 22 and first fall frost is October 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cass County gardeners in Zone 5a 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 Cass County, NE. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.