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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Dawson 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.

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 223 days.

At an elevation of 4,748 feet, Dawson County receives approximately 46.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 102ยฐF, 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.

Dawson County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
223 days
Last Spring Frost April 1
223 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Dawson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 24 🍅 Harvest: May 26 – Jul 7
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (118 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 1 🍅 Harvest: Jun 3 – Jul 15
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (112 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 2

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 314 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~1,988 GDD — county provides 5,909 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Dawson County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 8 Apr 8 โ€“ Apr 29
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 โ€“ Jul 22

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 โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

223 days

Growing Tips for Dawson 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 Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 1. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 1 and first fall frost is November 10.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Dawson County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Dawson County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.