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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Mathews County, VA

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.

Mathews County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is November 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 877 feet, Mathews County receives approximately 45.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Mathews County, VA (Zone 7b) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
208 growing days
First Fall Frost November 3

Mathews County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (103 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (106 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 21 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Aug 4

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.

Soil Compatibility in Mathews County

How your county's soil matches Sweet Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.3โ€“6.8) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Mathews County is excellent for Sweet Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Corn.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

4
successive plantings in your 208-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 05 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,061 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 3,640 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Mathews County, VA

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Jul 30

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 Harvest
July Harvest
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

208 days in Mathews County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Mathews County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 09 in Mathews County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Sweet Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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 Mathews County, VA?

Mathews County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mathews County, VA?

Mathews County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is November 3.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mathews County gardeners in Zone 7b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

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 Mathews County, VA. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.