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When to Plant Sweet Corn in McCulloch 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.

McCulloch County, Texas is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 244 days.

At an elevation of 1,250 feet, McCulloch County receives approximately 60.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Sweet Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

McCulloch County, TX (Zone 8a) Long season
244 days
Last Spring Frost March 17
244 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

McCulloch County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.8-7.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (143 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jun 21
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: May 19 – Jun 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (136 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Jul 22

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Sweet Corn needs ~1,650 GDD — county provides 5,368 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” McCulloch County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 24 Mar 24 โ€“ Apr 14
Harvest May 26 May 26 โ€“ Jul 7

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

244 days

Growing Tips for McCulloch 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 McCulloch County, TX?

McCulloch County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 17. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is McCulloch County, TX?

McCulloch County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 17 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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