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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Jim Hogg County, TX

Jim Hogg County, Texas Zone 9b May

Your May planting checklist for Jim Hogg County, Texas

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Jim Hogg County, Texas this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost February 16
Avg. first frost December 5
Soil temp (4") 66°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.3 hrs
  1. Pick sweet corn

    Check every 1–2 days. Many of these get tough or go to seed if you wait too long.

June will be here before you know it — start on
  • First harvests: sweet corn

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Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content in its kernels, which convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Modern supersweet varieties hold their sweetness longer.

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and the first fall frost is December 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 292 days.

At an elevation of 4,270 feet, Jim Hogg County receives approximately 59.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96°F, so Sweet Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Jim Hogg County, TX (Zone 9b) Year-round
292 days
Last Spring Frost February 16
292 growing days
First Fall Frost December 5
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Jim Hogg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.2-7.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (198 days to spare)
Transplant: Jan 26 🍅 Harvest: Mar 30 – May 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (187 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 16 🍅 Harvest: Apr 20 – Jun 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (175 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 30

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 Jim Hogg County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.2–7.3) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.9%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Sweet Corn.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

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

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

5
successive plantings in your 292-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 06 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.7″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,691 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Corn

Sweet 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 Sweet Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 1.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 6.5" 2" 4.5" 🚿 Regular watering
Mar 6.5" 3.4" 3.1" 💧 Light watering
Apr 6.5" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 9.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 10.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 6.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 6.9" 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" 1.4" 5.1" 🚿 Regular watering

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

Sweet 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.

Sweet Corn needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 6,446 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline — Jim Hogg County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 23 Feb 23 – Mar 16
Harvest April 27 Apr 27 – Jun 8

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
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.5"/week · 1-2 times/week

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 9b

📆 Growing Season

292 days in Jim Hogg County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Jim Hogg County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after February 16 in Jim Hogg County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With summer highs reaching 96°F in Jim Hogg County, provide afternoon shade for Sweet Corn and water deeply in the morning.

Common pests for Sweet 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 for wind pollination. Direct sow after soil is warm. Isolate supersweet varieties from other corn types to prevent cross-pollination.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County is in Zone 9b with an average last frost of February 16. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jim Hogg County, TX?

Jim Hogg County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b. The average last spring frost is February 16 and first fall frost is December 5.

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Your Jim Hogg County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Jim Hogg 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.

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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 Jim Hogg County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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