When to plant sweet corn
Short answer
Plant sweet corn about 1 weeks after your last spring frost. In a mid climate (zone 5) that's around Apr 22. Enter your ZIP for your exact dates.
| Climate zone | Start indoors | Plant outside | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | Jan 22 | Apr 7 |
| Zone 2 | — | Feb 22 | May 8 |
| Zone 3 | — | Mar 17 | May 31 |
| Zone 4 | — | Apr 6 | Jun 20 |
| Zone 5 | — | Apr 22 | Jul 6 |
| Zone 6 | — | May 7 | Jul 21 |
| Zone 7 | — | May 22 | Aug 5 |
| Zone 8 | — | Jun 8 | Aug 22 |
Higher climate-zone numbers are colder, so planting shifts later. Sweet corn is a tender crop. Enter your ZIP in the calculator for your exact zone and dates.
Your exact dates
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Frequently asked questions
When should I plant sweet corn?
Plant sweet corn about 1 weeks after your last spring frost, once the soil warms. That's around Apr 6 in zone 4 and May 7 in zone 6.
Can I direct sow sweet corn?
Yes — sweet corn is usually sown directly in the garden rather than started indoors.
How long until sweet corn is ready to harvest?
About 75 days from transplant or sowing. In zone 6, plants set out around May 7 are typically ready near Jul 21.