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When to Plant Corn in Cotulla, TX

Corn
Cotulla, TX Zone 9a June

Your June gardening checklist

June rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Cotulla, TX.

Avg. last frost February 14
Avg. first frost December 3
Soil temp (4") 80°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.8 hrs
  1. Collect corn at their peak

    Don't tug. Use scissors or pruners for clean cuts — torn stems invite disease.

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Corn is a warm-season grass grown for its sweet ears, which are best eaten soon after harvest. It is wind-pollinated and must be planted in blocks for good kernel fill.

Cotulla, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 3, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 2,270 feet, La Salle County receives approximately 57.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Cotulla, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 3

Cotulla Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Corn Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (181 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 30 🍅 Harvest: Apr 3 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – Jun 13
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 14 🍅 Harvest: May 16 – Jul 11

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Soil Compatibility in Cotulla

How your county's soil matches Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.5–7.6) is more alkaline than Corn prefers (6.0–7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in La Salle County is excellent for Corn — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Corn.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Corn.

How to Plant Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Corn

5
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 25 to harvest before frost.

Corn Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,947 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Corn

Corn needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.5" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 5.5" 1" 💧 Light watering
May 6.5" 7.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 10.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 7.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 5.8" 0.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.6" 2.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Dec 6.5" 1.6" 4.9" 🚿 Regular watering

Water needs are for active growing months only (Feb–Dec in La Salle County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Corn Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Corn needs ~1,520 GDD — county provides 5,567 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline — Cotulla, TX

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 – Mar 14
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 – Jun 20

Plant 1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 2-3 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_alkaline

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9a

📆 Growing Season

292 days in La Salle County

Growing Tips for Corn in Cotulla

Direct sow Corn outdoors after February 14 in La Salle County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than single rows for proper pollination. Direct sow after soil reaches 60F. Side-dress with nitrogen when plants are knee-high.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌱

Your La Salle County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for La Salle County (Zone 9a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for La Salle County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.