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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Dickens 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.

Dickens County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost is November 2, giving you a growing season of approximately 209 days.

At an elevation of 1,421 feet, Dickens County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 99ยฐF, 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. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Dickens County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
209 days
Last Spring Frost April 7
209 growing days
First Fall Frost November 2

Dickens County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.6-8.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (109 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 27 🍅 Harvest: May 29 – Jul 10
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (104 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Jul 21
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (114 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jun 17 – Jul 29

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 Dickens County

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

Soil pH

Your soil pH (7.6โ€“8.4) is more alkaline than Sweet Corn prefers (6.0โ€“7.0). Add sulfur or peat moss to lower pH.

Soil Texture

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

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Sweet Corn.

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

4
successive plantings in your 209-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 04 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
1.1″/week
Watering frequency 2-3 times/week
Season total 2,065 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~1,819 GDD — county provides 5,068 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Dickens County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 14 Apr 14 โ€“ May 5
Harvest June 16 Jun 16 โ€“ Jul 28

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 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 2-3 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 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

209 days in Dickens County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Dickens County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after April 07 in Dickens County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Dickens 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 99ยฐF in Dickens 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 Dickens County, TX?

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

What planting zone is Dickens County, TX?

Dickens County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 7 and first fall frost is November 2.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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