Blog

When to Plant Corn in Titus 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.

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 238 days.

At an elevation of 314 feet, Titus County receives approximately 72.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Corn during the growing season. 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.

Titus County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
238 days
Last Spring Frost March 18
238 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Titus County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (119 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 5

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 Titus County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.4โ€“6.8) overlaps with Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Titus County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Corn will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.8%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Corn.

How to Plant Corn

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

Succession Planting Corn

4
successive plantings in your 238-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 03 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.3″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 464 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 โ€” 1.7" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 2.4" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 4.6" 1.9" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 6.5" 8.9" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
May 6.5" 10.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 11.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 8.2" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 8.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Sep 6.5" 6.8" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Oct 6.5" 4.5" 2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2.8" 3.7" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.8" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Titus County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” 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" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF 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 ~1,460 GDD — county provides 4,343 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Titus County, TX

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 25 Mar 25 โ€“ Apr 15
Harvest May 27 May 27 โ€“ Jul 22

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท Only during dry spells

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 8a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

238 days in Titus County

Growing Tips for Corn in Titus County

Direct sow Corn outdoors after March 18 in Titus County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Titus County dries quickly โ€” mulch Corn with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Titus County, TX?

Titus County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 18. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Titus County, TX?

Titus County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 18 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Titus County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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