Plant Corn in Zone 11a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 11a
Zone 11a is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 11a calendar for corn is set by heat, not cold. There is no last frost to count backward from and no first frost to beat, which means the question is not whether corn will finish but whether it will sit through the hottest stretch of the year. Corn is a tender crop needing about 75 days from sowing to harvest.
Fall planting: corn in Zone 11a
Corn has no useful fall window in Zone 11a. Sweet corn pollinates badly in short, cool autumn days, so a fall planting rarely fills out.
Sweet corn pollinates badly in short, cool autumn days, so a fall planting rarely fills out.
Fall dates are counted backward from the Zone 11a average first frost, not forward from a sowing date. See the fall planting calendar by zone for the full method.
Spring vs fall corn in Zone 11a
| Planting | Sow or start | In the ground | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | Apr 17 |
| Fall | — | — | — |
Corn in nearby zones
Further reading on corn
- Soil temperature for planting seeds
The soil temperature corn needs before it will germinate.
- Companion planting chart
What to plant with corn and what to keep away from it.
Other crops in Zone 11a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start corn in Zone 11a?
Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.
Can I direct sow corn in Zone 11a?
Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.
Can I plant corn in the fall in Zone 11a?
Corn has no useful fall window in Zone 11a. Sweet corn pollinates badly in short, cool autumn days, so a fall planting rarely fills out.
Will corn survive frost in Zone 11a?
No. Corn is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 11a planting has to finish before the average first frost (Zone 11a rarely sees one).