When to plant sweet corn in Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s average last spring frost is April 24, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 14 — about 173 frost-free days (USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a). Sweet Corn needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Massachusetts's growing season.
When to plant sweet corn in Massachusetts: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 26 – May 15. Wait until the soil is at least 55°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Massachusetts: May 15 · May 29 · Jun 12 · Jun 26 · Jul 10 · Jul 24
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow sweet corn in Massachusetts, step by step
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 24 inches deep, with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 15). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, sowing seed 1.5 inches deep. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, raccoons. Diseases and disorders: common smut, common rust, Stewart's wilt.
- Harvest (from about Jun 30 – Aug 9). Sweet Corn takes 60-100 days to reach harvest. Plant in a block of at least 4 short rows, not one long row, or the ears fill unevenly. Keep sugar-enhanced and supersweet types isolated from field corn. Succeed by sowing every 2 weeks or planting early/mid/late varieties together.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Massachusetts’s average frost dates. More in the full sweet corn growing guide.
Sweet Corn planting dates by USDA zone in Massachusetts
Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the sweet corn dates shift with them.
When to plant sweet corn in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts (this page) | April 24 | Apr 26 – May 15 |
| Maine | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| New Hampshire | May 13 | May 15 – Jun 3 |
| Vermont | May 14 | May 16 – Jun 4 |
| Rhode Island | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| Connecticut | April 25 | Apr 27 – May 16 |
| New York | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
Questions gardeners in Massachusetts ask
When is the best time to plant sweet corn in Massachusetts?
Sow sweet corn in Massachusetts between April 26 and May 15. That timing is set by Massachusetts's average last spring frost of April 24.
What is the latest I can plant sweet corn in Massachusetts?
About August 15. Sweet corn needs at least 60 days to mature, and frost around October 14 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will sweet corn planted in Massachusetts be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, sweet corn is usually ready from about June 30 to August 9, 60-100 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Massachusetts?
On average around April 24, with the first fall frost around October 14 - about 173 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.