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When to Plant Corn in Matagorda County, TX

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.

Matagorda County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and the first fall frost is December 6, giving you a growing season of approximately 290 days.

At an elevation of 161 feet, Matagorda County receives approximately 57.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Matagorda County, TX (Zone 9a) Year-round
290 days
Last Spring Frost February 19
290 growing days
First Fall Frost December 6

Matagorda County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (176 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 7 🍅 Harvest: Apr 11 – Jun 6
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (171 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 19 🍅 Harvest: Apr 23 – Jun 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (162 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jul 9

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 456 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,700 GDD — county provides 6,183 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Matagorda County, TX

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 26 Feb 26 โ€“ Mar 19
Harvest April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ Jun 25

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 9a

Growing Season

290 days

Growing Tips for Matagorda County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Matagorda County, TX?

Matagorda County is in Zone 9a with an average last frost of February 19. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Matagorda County, TX?

Matagorda County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a. The average last spring frost is February 19 and first fall frost is December 6.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Matagorda County gardeners in Zone 9a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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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 Matagorda County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.