Plant Corn in Zone 12a
Seed-starting, transplant & harvest dates for USDA Zone 12a
Zone 12a is effectively frost-free, so the Zone 12a 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 12a
Corn has no useful fall window in Zone 12a. 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 12a 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 12a
| 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 12a
Frequently asked questions
When should I start corn in Zone 12a?
Direct sow outdoors around Feb 1.
Can I direct sow corn in Zone 12a?
Yes, direct sow around Feb 1.
Can I plant corn in the fall in Zone 12a?
Corn has no useful fall window in Zone 12a. Sweet corn pollinates badly in short, cool autumn days, so a fall planting rarely fills out.
Will corn survive frost in Zone 12a?
No. Corn is a tender crop and a single light frost ends it, so every Zone 12a planting has to finish before the average first frost (Zone 12a rarely sees one).