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When to Plant Corn in Harris County, TX

Corn

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.

Harris County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 390 feet, Harris County receives approximately 67.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102°F, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — 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.

Harris County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Harris County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

How Much Corn to Grow

1-2 ears
Average yield per plant
15
Plants per person
30 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 60 corn plants in about 120 sq ft. In Harris County's 293-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Corn Planting Timeline — Harris County, 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

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–100 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

293 days in Harris County

Growing Tips for Harris 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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Harris County, TX?

Harris County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Harris County, TX?

Harris County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 4.

🌱

Your Harris County Garden Planner — Free

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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.