When to Plant Corn in North Carolina
In a typical North Carolina location, sow outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Morehead City and as late as May 2 in Boone.
Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Corn Planting Dates by City
| City | Direct sow |
|---|---|
| Charlotte | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Raleigh | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Greensboro | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Durham | Apr 2 – Apr 16 |
| Winston-Salem | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Fayetteville | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Cary | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Wilmington | Mar 19 – Apr 2 |
| High Point | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Asheville | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Greenville | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Concord | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Gastonia | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Jacksonville | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Chapel Hill | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Rocky Mount | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Huntersville | Mar 30 – Apr 13 |
| Burlington | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Wilson | Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Kannapolis | Apr 1 – Apr 15 |
| Apex | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Hickory | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Wake Forest | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| Indian Trail | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Mooresville | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Goldsboro | Mar 28 – Apr 11 |
| Monroe | Apr 3 – Apr 17 |
| Salisbury | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Holly Springs | Apr 6 – Apr 20 |
| Matthews | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
Showing the 30 most populous of 95 North Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all North Carolina cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant corn in North Carolina?
In a typical North Carolina location, sow outdoors Mar 31 – Apr 14. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 18 in Morehead City and as late as May 2 in Boone.
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
The average last spring frost in North Carolina ranges from March 18 in Morehead City to May 2 in Boone, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
How long do corn take to grow?
Corn typically take 60–100 days from planting to harvest. Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Other Crops in North Carolina
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Winter Squash
- Pumpkins
- Watermelon
- Cantaloupe
- Green Beans
- Peas
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Arugula
- Swiss Chard
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Carrots
- Beets
- Radishes
- Turnips
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Basil
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Dill
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Nasturtiums
- Dahlias
When to plant corn in other states