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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Hardin 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.

Hardin County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and the first fall frost is December 4, giving you a growing season of approximately 293 days.

At an elevation of 323 feet, Hardin County receives approximately 66.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season. 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.

Hardin County, TX (Zone 8b) Year-round
293 days
Last Spring Frost February 14
293 growing days
First Fall Frost December 4

Hardin County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.3-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (194 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 1 🍅 Harvest: Apr 5 – May 17
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (188 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 14 🍅 Harvest: Apr 18 – May 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (183 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 19

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 135 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,312 GDD — county provides 5,145 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Hardin County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 21 Feb 21 โ€“ Mar 14
Harvest April 25 Apr 25 โ€“ Jun 6

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
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

293 days

Growing Tips for Hardin 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 Hardin County, TX?

Hardin County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of February 14. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hardin County, TX?

Hardin County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is February 14 and first fall frost is December 4.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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