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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Hale 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.

Hale County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7a. 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 1,231 feet, Hale County receives approximately 44.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 103ยฐF, 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.

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

Hale County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

7.8-8.3

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.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 245 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Sweet Corn needs ~2,044 GDD — county provides 5,695 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Hale 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

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 7a

Growing Season

209 days

Growing Tips for Hale 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 Hale County, TX?

Hale County is in Zone 7a 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 Hale County, TX?

Hale County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. 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 Hale 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 Hale County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.