Ohio · zones 5b–6b
When to plant sweet corn in Ohio.
Sow between May 2 to Jul 25 in a typical year, keyed to Ohio's median last frost around Apr 25. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Sweet Corn dates for a typical Ohio season.
Direct sow
May 2 to Jul 25
Keyed to the ~Apr 25 last frost. Sow 1.5" deep, 12" apart.
Harvest
~75 days later
~1 lb per plant over ~1 weeks.
Ohio spans more than one climate: Zone 6 is the most common zone, but the state runs 5b to 6b. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Ohio: watch for
The pests that find sweet corn here.
A middle-length season, about 173 frost-free days, means sweet corn overlaps corn earworm for a stretch each summer. Check plants every week or two and treat early.
Caterpillars feeding down in the tip of the ear.
Organic fix: A few drops of oil on the silk; Bt on the silks.
Broken tassels and frass-filled holes in the stalk.
Organic fix: Bt on young plants; cut and destroy stalks after harvest.
Clusters on the tassels and upper leaves.
Organic fix: Usually minor; insecticidal soap if heavy.
Fall armyworm
Ragged holes through the unfurling whorl leaves, with sawdust-like droppings down in the funnel.
Organic fix: Check whorls weekly before tassel; Bt or spinosad while the caterpillars are still small.
Cinnamon-brown powdery pustules breaking out on BOTH sides of the same leaf, lower leaves first, darkening as they age.
Organic fix: Water at the ground rather than overhead, and choose resistant varieties next season; sprays are rarely worth it.
Your season math: Ohio gives sweet corn about 173 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 75 days to a first harvest. That fits about 10 re-sown rounds across the season, so you can keep it coming instead of picking once.
Planting sweet corn in Ohio: questions
When should I plant sweet corn in Ohio?+
In a typical Ohio year, sow sweet corn between May 2 to Jul 25, keyed to the state's median last frost around Apr 25. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
What USDA zone is Ohio?+
Ohio spans zones 5b–6b, mostly zone 6. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many sweet corn plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.