Blog

When to Plant Sweet Corn in Mason 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.

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 11, giving you a growing season of approximately 231 days.

At an elevation of 4,557 feet, Mason County receives approximately 49.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Sweet Corn during the growing season.

Mason County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
231 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
231 growing days
First Fall Frost November 11

Mason County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 13 🍅 Harvest: May 15 – Jun 26
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (126 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: May 27 – Jul 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (122 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
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 807 gal / 100 sq ft
Sweet Corn needs ~1,369 GDD — county provides 4,215 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Mason County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 โ€“ Apr 22
Harvest June 3 Jun 3 โ€“ Jul 15

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 8a

Growing Season

231 days

Growing Tips for Mason 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 Mason County, TX?

Mason County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Mason County, TX?

Mason County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 11.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Mason County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Mason County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.