When to Plant Sweet Corn in Ames, Nebraska (68621)

Location

Ames, Nebraska

ZIP Code

68621

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Saturday, April 25, 2026

📅 Planting Calendar

Direct Sow Outdoors Saturday, April 11, 2026

Pro Tip: Sow Sweet Corn directly outdoors 2 weeks before your last frost date.

🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Zea mays var. saccharata

Days to Maturity 75 days

Mature Height 60-96"

Spread 12"

Type Stalk

Fruit Size Medium (7-9 inch ears)

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (8+ hours)

💧

Water

High (consistent moisture, especially at silking)

↔️

Spacing

12" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

1" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 5-10 days

Ready to Plant Sweet Corn in Ames?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Saturday, April 11, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BeanSquashCucumberPeaMelon

⚠️ Avoid Planting Near

Tomato

Other Plants for Ames

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Avocado Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree

Growing Sweet Corn in Zone 5b

Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a popular garden vegetable. In Ames, Nebraska, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5b, you should direct sow seeds around Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Saturday, April 25, 2026. Sweet Corn grows well when direct sown, as it doesn't transplant well or germinates quickly outdoors.