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When to Plant Corn in Wheeler 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.

Wheeler County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 200 days.

At an elevation of 1,222 feet, Wheeler County receives approximately 54.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, 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.

Wheeler County, TX (Zone 7a) Long season
200 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
200 growing days
First Fall Frost October 26

Wheeler County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.7-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (85 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 2 🍅 Harvest: Jun 4 – Jul 30
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Aug 6
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (80 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Aug 22

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 8/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Corn needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 4,400 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Wheeler County, TX

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest June 18 Jun 18 โ€“ Aug 13

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Direct Sow
May Direct Sow
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
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 7a

Growing Season

200 days

Growing Tips for Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, TX?

Wheeler County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Wheeler County, TX?

Wheeler County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Wheeler County gardeners in Zone 7a 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 Wheeler County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.