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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Frio 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.

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 273 days.

At an elevation of 3,892 feet, Frio County receives approximately 51 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Frio County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
273 days
Last Spring Frost February 26
273 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Frio County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.4-7.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (173 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 13 🍅 Harvest: Apr 17 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (168 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 26 🍅 Harvest: Apr 30 – Jun 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (161 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 21 🍅 Harvest: May 23 – Jul 4

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.5″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,264 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,481 GDD — county provides 5,411 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Frio County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 5 Mar 5 โ€“ Mar 26
Harvest May 7 May 7 โ€“ Jun 18

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Direct Sow
April โ€”
May Harvest
June Harvest
July โ€”
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 8b

Growing Season

273 days

Growing Tips for Frio 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 Frio County, TX?

Frio County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 26. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Frio County, TX?

Frio County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 26 and first fall frost is November 26.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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