When to plant sweet corn
Sweet corn is frost-tender, so sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Plant when the soil is at least 60°F.
Sweet corn dates for Columbus, Ohio (example)
Example dates. Enter your ZIP above for your own.
| Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 11 |
|---|---|
| Last planting for a harvest before frost | Jul 26 |
| Soil temperature | 60°F or warmer |
| Days to harvest | 65–90 |
| Spacing | 8–12 in apart in blocks of 4+ rows |
Your corn year
- Sow outdoors
Average last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 24.
Growing tips for sweet corn
- Plant in blocks rather than one long row; corn is wind-pollinated.
- Supersweet (sh2) types need warmer soil (65°F) and isolation from other types.
- Sow every two weeks, or plant early, mid and late varieties on the same day.
For a steady harvest, sow every 2 weeks: see the succession planting calculator.
When to plant sweet corn in major cities
Calculated from each city's NOAA 1991–2020 average frost dates.
| City | Zone | Plant / sow |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | 7b | Apr 6–20 |
| Chicago, IL | 6b | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Los Angeles, CA | 10b | Feb 1–15 |
| Houston, TX | 9b | Feb 9–23 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 10a | Jan 12–26 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 7b | Apr 6–20 |
| Dallas, TX | 8b | Mar 9–23 |
| Atlanta, GA | 8a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Seattle, WA | 9a | Mar 20 – Apr 3 |
| Denver, CO | 6a | May 7–21 |
| Boston, MA | 7a | Apr 11–25 |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5a | Apr 30 – May 14 |
| Kansas City, MO | 6b | Apr 11–25 |
| Nashville, TN | 7b | Apr 8–22 |
| Portland, OR | 9a | Mar 4–18 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 7b | Apr 7–21 |
| Columbus, OH | 6b | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Charlotte, NC | 8a | Apr 6–20 |
| Detroit, MI | 6b | Apr 28 – May 12 |
| Raleigh, NC | 8a | Apr 4–18 |
Sweet corn planting FAQ
When should I plant sweet corn?
Sweet corn is frost-tender, so sow outdoors 1–3 weeks after the last frost. Plant when the soil is at least 60°F.
How many days until sweet corn is ready to harvest?
Most corn varieties take about 65–90 days from sowing. Check the seed packet: early varieties are at the low end.
Can sweet corn survive frost?
No. Sweet corn is damaged or killed by a 32°F frost, so wait until after your last frost and cover plants if a late frost is forecast.
How far apart should I plant sweet corn?
Space sweet corn 8–12 in apart in blocks of 4+ rows.
What is the last date I can plant sweet corn?
Count the variety's days to maturity back from your first fall frost. Enter your ZIP code on this page and Seasonwise calculates the date for you.
Ask about growing sweet corn
Enter your ZIP above first and answers will use your local frost dates. Written by an AI model; double-check anything important.