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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Bowie County, TX

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.

Bowie County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 12, giving you a growing season of approximately 237 days.

At an elevation of 380 feet, Bowie County receives approximately 71.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Sweet Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Bowie County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
237 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
237 growing days
First Fall Frost November 12

Bowie County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: May 13 – Jun 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (132 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jun 11 – Jul 23

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
1.3″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,325 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Bowie County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 10

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

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

237 days

Growing Tips for Bowie County

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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Bowie County, TX?

Bowie County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Bowie County, TX?

Bowie County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 12.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Bowie County gardeners in Zone 8a 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 Bowie County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.