Times & Dates for Planting Corn

Soil Conditions

• Sweet corn seeds germinate successfully when the soil temperature is greater than 55 degrees F. It takes more than three weeks for seeds to germinate in 50- to 55-degree soil. Sweet corn seeds germinate in less than one week in a soil temperature greater than 70 degrees F.

Date of Last Spring Frost

• Sweet corn is a tender vegetable susceptible to being killed by frost. If the soil is warm, plant corn seeds about the time of the last spring frost. With cool soil, wait until 10 to 14 days after the predicted last frost to plant the seed. Do not plant corn seed in extremely wet soil.

Planting Dates

• Dates for planting corn differ depending on location. In Iowa the average planting dates are April 20 to May 10. Planting dates in Mississippi range from February 25 to April 25, depending on the area. Plant corn every 10 to 14 days for a continuous summer supply.