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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Richmond 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.

Richmond County, Virginia is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 210 days.

At an elevation of 148 feet, Richmond County receives approximately 49.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Richmond County, VA (Zone 7a) Long season
210 days
Last Spring Frost April 6
210 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Richmond County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (107 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 30 🍅 Harvest: Jun 1 – Jul 13
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Jun 8 – Jul 20
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 26 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 3,832 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Richmond County, VA

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ May 4
Harvest June 15 Jun 15 โ€“ Jul 27

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

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

210 days

Growing Tips for Richmond 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 Richmond County, VA?

Richmond County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 6. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Richmond County, VA?

Richmond County, Virginia is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 6 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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