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When to Plant Sweet Corn in Taylor 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.

Taylor County, Texas is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 242 days.

At an elevation of 2,238 feet, Taylor County receives approximately 51.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, 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.

Taylor County, TX (Zone 7b) Long season
242 days
Last Spring Frost March 20
242 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Taylor County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.3-7.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 12 🍅 Harvest: May 14 – Jun 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (137 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 20 🍅 Harvest: May 22 – Jul 3
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Jul 26

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.

Soil Compatibility in Taylor County

How your county's soil matches Sweet Corn's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (6.3โ€“7.6) overlaps with Sweet Corn's range (6.0โ€“7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The loam soil in Taylor County is excellent for Sweet Corn โ€” good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.0%). Annual compost additions will help Sweet Corn.

How to Plant Sweet Corn

1"
Planting Depth
12"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Sweet Corn

4
successive plantings in your 242-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 19 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
You supply
0.6″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 1,321 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Sweet Corn

Sweet Corn needs approximately 1.5 inches of water per week (6.5" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Sweet Corn Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Feb โ€” 1.6" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant
Mar 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Apr 6.5" 5.3" 1.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
May 6.5" 7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jun 6.5" 8.7" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Jul 6.5" 6.6" 0" โœ… Rainfall sufficient
Aug 6.5" 5.4" 1.1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Sep 6.5" 5.5" 1" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Oct 6.5" 3.3" 3.2" ๐Ÿ’ง Light watering
Nov 6.5" 2" 4.5" ๐Ÿšฟ Regular watering
Dec โ€” 1.2" 0" โ„๏ธ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Marโ€“Nov in Taylor County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall โ€” actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Sweet Corn Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" โ€” every day above 50ยฐF deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Sweet Corn needs ~1,425 GDD — county provides 4,598 GDD Excellent fit

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Taylor County, TX

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 27 Mar 27 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest May 29 May 29 โ€“ Jul 10

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

โ˜€๏ธ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

๐Ÿ’ง Water

1.5"/week ยท 1-2 times/week

๐Ÿ“… Days to Maturity

60โ€“90 days

๐Ÿงช Soil pH

Needs 6โ€“7 ยท Your soil: acceptable

๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ USDA Zone

Zone 7b

๐Ÿ“† Growing Season

242 days in Taylor County

Growing Tips for Sweet Corn in Taylor County

Direct sow Sweet Corn outdoors after March 20 in Taylor County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Common pests for Sweet Corn in this region include corn earworm and corn borers. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

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

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Taylor County, TX?

Taylor County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 20. Plan your Sweet Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Taylor County, TX?

Taylor County, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 20 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Taylor County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Taylor County, TX. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.