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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Cochran 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.

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 27, giving you a growing season of approximately 196 days.

At an elevation of 4,553 feet, Cochran County receives approximately 45.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, so Sweet Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. 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.

Cochran County, TX (Zone 7a) Moderate season
196 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
196 growing days
First Fall Frost October 27

Cochran County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.5-8.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (90 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (91 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 14 🍅 Harvest: Jun 16 – Jul 28
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (95 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 1 – Aug 12

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 Cochran County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.5โ€“8.5) is more alkaline than Sweet Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Organic Matter

Organic matter is low (1.0%). 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

3
successive plantings in your 196-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 29 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,108 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~1,762 GDD — county provides 4,606 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Cochran County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest June 23 Jun 23 โ€“ Aug 4

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: too_alkaline

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

196 days in Cochran County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Cochran County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 14 in Cochran County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

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

With summer highs reaching 98ยฐF in Cochran 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

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cochran County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Cochran County, TX?

Cochran County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 27.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Cochran 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 Cochran County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.