Corn (Sweet) Planting Guide — All Zones
Zea mays
Last updated: May 15, 2026Quick Facts
Sunlight
☀️ Full Sun
Water Needs
💧💧💧 High
Spacing
12 inches apart
Planting Depth
1.5 inch
Min Soil Temp
60°F
Germination
5–12 days
Days to Maturity
60–100 days
Frost Tolerance
No frost tolerance
Soil pH
6.0–6.8
Difficulty
Moderate
Planting Schedule by Zone
Select your USDA zone below for a detailed guide with tips specific to your region.
Zone 3Zone 3aZone 3bZone 4Zone 4aZone 4bZone 5Zone 5aZone 5bZone 6Zone 6aZone 6bZone 7Zone 7aZone 7bZone 8Zone 8aZone 8bZone 9Zone 9aZone 9bZone 10Zone 10aZone 10bZone 11Zone 11aZone 11b
| Zone | Start Indoors | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest Start | Harvest End |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | May 29 | Aug 5 | Sep 12 |
| Zone 4 | — | — | May 24 | Jul 31 | Sep 22 |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May 14 | Jul 21 | Sep 29 |
| Zone 6 | — | — | Apr 29 | Jul 6 | Sep 14 |
| Zone 7 | — | — | Apr 19 | Jun 26 | Sep 4 |
| Zone 8 | — | — | Apr 3 | Jun 10 | Aug 19 |
| Zone 9 | — | — | Mar 14 | May 21 | Jul 30 |
| Zone 10 | — | — | Feb 24 | May 3 | Jul 12 |
| Zone 11 | — | — | Jan 29 | Apr 7 | Jun 16 |
What you'll need — Your Zone
🛒 Corn (Sweet) — Seeds & Supplies
- 🌱 Corn (Sweet) Seeds
Search for these at your local garden center or nursery.
Companion Planting
Companion planting improves growth, deters pests, and makes better use of garden space.
✓ Good Companions
✗ Avoid Nearby
Tomato
📚 Data Sources
Frost dates: NOAA Climate Normals 1991–2020, National Centers for Environmental Information.Hardiness zones: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, Agricultural Research Service.
Growing requirements: Cooperative Extension Services — NC State, Penn State, University of Florida IFAS.
Companion planting: Cornell University Cooperative Extension.
Data compiled from public agricultural sources. Always verify with your local extension office for micro-climate adjustments.