fruit · direct sow
Popcorn: how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating popcorn a few times a week needs about 15 plants in ~40 sq ft, worth about $11 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$3.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 4 | ~11 sq ft | ~8 | ~$3 |
| 2 people | 8 | ~22 sq ft | ~15 | ~$6 |
| 4 people | 15 | ~40 sq ft | ~27 | ~$11 |
| 6 people | 22 | ~59 sq ft | ~39 | ~$17 |
Spacing
12" in row · 32" between rows
Sow depth
1.5"
Days to harvest
100 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | May 22 – Jul 14 | — |
| Zone 4 | May 17 – Jul 9 | — |
| Zone 5 | May 7 – Jun 29 | — |
| Zone 6 | Apr 27 – Jun 19 | — |
| Zone 7 | Apr 12 – Jun 4 | — |
| Zone 8 | Apr 1 – May 24 | — |
| Zone 9 | Feb 27 – Apr 21 | — |
| Zone 10 | Feb 7 – Apr 1 | — |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.25 lbs per plant over ~2 productive weeks (~0.25 lb).
Watch for
Corn earworm · European corn borer · Aphids — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with bush-bean, winter-squash.
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.