When to plant sweet corn in Virginia
Virginia’s average last spring frost is April 15, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 20 — about 188 frost-free days (USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Sweet Corn needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Virginia's growing season.
Virginia covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant sweet corn in Virginia: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Apr 17 – May 6. Wait until the soil is at least 55°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Virginia: May 6 · May 20 · Jun 3 · Jun 17 · Jul 1 · Jul 15 · Jul 29
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 Virginia, 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 17 – May 6). 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 21 – Jul 31). 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 Virginia’s average frost dates. More in the full sweet corn growing guide.
Sweet Corn planting dates by USDA zone in Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this page) | April 15 | Apr 17 – May 6 |
| New Jersey | April 20 | Apr 22 – May 11 |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 | May 3 – May 22 |
| Delaware | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| Maryland | April 14 | Apr 16 – May 5 |
| District of Columbia | April 10 | Apr 12 – May 1 |
| West Virginia | May 5 | May 7 – May 26 |
Questions gardeners in Virginia ask
When is the best time to plant sweet corn in Virginia?
Sow sweet corn in Virginia between April 17 and May 6. That timing is set by Virginia's average last spring frost of April 15; Virginia spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
What is the latest I can plant sweet corn in Virginia?
About August 21. Sweet corn needs at least 60 days to mature, and frost around October 20 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will sweet corn planted in Virginia be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, sweet corn is usually ready from about June 21 to July 31, 60-100 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Virginia?
On average around April 15, with the first fall frost around October 20 - about 188 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.