When to plant sweet corn in Texas

Planting dates

For spring, wait until frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Texas A&M’s crop guide gives a seed-zone temperature above 65°F and says sweet corn does not germinate below 50°F. For fall, start with your region’s row in the table.

Your region

Texas A&M gives average fall sweet-corn dates from July 1 in Region I to September 20 in Region V. Identify the gardening region before using a date. The table is an average, not a maturity guarantee for every variety or county.

How to plant

Direct-sow sweet corn about 1 inch deep and 3 to 4 inches apart, then thin plants to 1 foot apart. Texas A&M recommends rows 2½ to 3 feet apart. Make several short rows or a block instead of one long row to help pollination.

A second planting

If you have space, Texas A&M says a second planting can go in when the first plants have three to five leaves, usually 2 to 3 weeks later. Use the same temperature and frost checks for the second planting.

Choose your next step

Planting questions