Corn Planting Dates in California

Usual corn planting and harvest periods in California, shown as ranges with their source. Use them to frame a plan, then adjust for your own frost dates and soil temperature.

Corn dates in California
Activity	Window	Source	Last verified
Planting	Mar 15 to Jul 15 usual (most active Apr 1 to Jul 1)	source	2026-11-11
Harvest	Sep 1 to Nov 15 usual (most active Oct 1 to Nov 1)	source	2026-11-11

Corn calendar for California
Item	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Planting			Planting window in March	Planting window, most active in April	Planting window, most active in May	Planting window, most active in June	Planting window, most active in July
Harvest									Harvest window in September	Harvest window, most active in October	Harvest window, most active in November

What these dates mean in California

Planting usually runs about 123 days, from Mar 15 to Jul 15.

That start date is about 30 days earlier than the middle of the 41 places in this data set that report corn planting dates (Apr 14).

Harvest usually runs about 76 days, from Sep 1 to Nov 15.

From the start of the planting window to the start of the harvest window is about 170 days in California, a rough guide to how long the crop occupies the bed or field.

Frost-date caveat: these are published ranges for California. A northern or high-elevation site will run later than a southern or low one, and a cold wet spring can push planting past the window. Frost dates and local conditions vary; NASS state-level usual dates from 20-year progress data (Oct 2010 edition), begin ~5% and end ~95% complete. Check your last spring frost and soil temperature, and confirm with your county extension office.

Related guides

Corn dates in other places

Other crops in California

Last reviewed: November 2026. Source: USDA NASS, Field Crops Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates (October 2010 edition, copy hosted by Cornell University Mann Library). Dates are the usual start and end of the period when about 5% to 95% of the crop is planted or harvested, from long-run state progress data. They are historic averages, not a forecast.