When to Plant Sweet Corn in Oregon

Growing Sweet Corn in Oregon: Complete Guide

Sweet Corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) is a crop that grows best when sown directly in the garden. Depending on your zone, the right time to direct sow in Oregon falls between January 27, 2027 (Zone 9b) and April 11, 2027 (Zone 5b), once soil temperatures are consistently warm enough for germination.

Because Oregon stretches across 9 USDA hardiness zones (5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b), planting windows can shift by as much as six to eight weeks from one end of the state to the other. Gardeners in the warmer southern zones can start earlier, while those in cooler northern zones should wait until the zone table above shows their last frost has passed.

With 75 days to maturity, Sweet Corn fits comfortably within Oregon's growing season in most zones. In the warmest parts of the state, a second planting later in the season may be possible.

Sweet Corn requires full sun (8+ hours) and high (consistent moisture, especially at silking) moisture. The Pacific Northwest's cool, wet springs delay soil warm-up; raised beds and black plastic mulch help jump-start the season.

For the most precise planting dates tailored to your exact location, enter your ZIP code on our planting calendar or use the zone table above to find the schedule for your area of Oregon.