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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Kimball 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.

Kimball County, Nebraska is in USDA Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and the first fall frost is October 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 143 days.

At an elevation of 920 feet, Kimball County receives approximately 20.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81ยฐF, so choose short-season varieties of Sweet Corn to ensure they mature before fall.

Kimball County, NE (Zone 4b) Short season
143 days
Last Spring Frost May 12
143 growing days
First Fall Frost October 2

Kimball County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Jul 14 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (38 days to spare)
Transplant: May 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 26 – Sep 6

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 621 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Corn needs ~806 GDD — county provides 1,537 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Kimball County, NE

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jun 16
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Sep 8

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
May Direct Sow
June Direct Sow
July Harvest
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

143 days

Growing Tips for Kimball 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 Kimball County, NE?

Kimball County is in Zone 4b with an average last frost of May 12. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Kimball County, NE?

Kimball County, Nebraska is in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The average last spring frost is May 12 and first fall frost is October 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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