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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Cumberland County, NJ

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.

Cumberland County, New Jersey is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 229 days.

At an elevation of 425 feet, Cumberland County receives approximately 42 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Cumberland County, NJ (Zone 7a) Long season
229 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
229 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Cumberland County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: May 25 – Jul 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: May 30 – Jul 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (133 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 468 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,538 GDD — county provides 4,694 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Cumberland County, NJ

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 4 Apr 4 โ€“ Apr 25
Harvest June 6 Jun 6 โ€“ Jul 18

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 โ€”
June Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
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 7a

Growing Season

229 days

Growing Tips for Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, NJ?

Cumberland County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cumberland County, NJ?

Cumberland County, New Jersey is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 12.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cumberland County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Cumberland County, NJ. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.