When to plant sweet corn in Dallas, Texas

March 16 – March 30

Direct-sow outdoors · typical Dallas year

Climate basis: NOAA station Dallas Love Fld, TX (USW00013960), 5 mi (9 km) from downtown Dallas (ZCTA 75201 centroid), elevation 440 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Direct-sow sweet corn from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 2). One year in ten still freezes after March 19.

Last spring freezeMarch 21-in-10 after Mar 19

First fall freezeNovember 291-in-10 before Nov 10

Frost-free season≈ 272 daysmedian at 32°F

Hard freeze, 28°Feb 18 – Dec 12kills even hardy greens

USDA zone8b15 to 20°F winter low — not frost timing

The Dallas year

Direct-sow outdoorsMar 16 – Mar 30

indoors under lights
in the garden
frost-free season
1-in-10 years still freeze to Mar 19

Sweet corn in Dallas · freeze context from Dallas Love Fld, TX, 1991–2020 normals.

Every method, with its sources

Direct-sow outdoors

Mar 16 – Mar 30

UGA: wait until at least two weeks after the last average killing frost. Purdue lists corn as tender (after last frost) and UNH keys sowing to 60°F soil; the later UGA rule is used. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 2). University of Georgia Cooperative Extension · Purdue University Extension · University of New Hampshire Extension

Start seeds indoors

Not calculated

The cited guides time sweet corn by direct seeding only.

Transplant outdoors

Not calculated

The cited extension guides do not time an outdoor transplanting window for this crop.

Fall planting

Not calculated

No source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.

Variety assumption: Assumes a mid-season hybrid (about 70–85 days; Penn State lists 80).

These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.

This week, not a typical year:

Crop rule sources (3)

University of Georgia Cooperative Extension: Growing Home Garden Sweet Corn (Circular 905) (accessed 2026-07-24)
"Wait until at least two weeks after the last average killing frost before planting."
Purdue University Extension: Indiana Vegetable Planting Calendar (HO-186-W) (accessed 2026-07-24)
Hardiness classes: hardy = plant 4-6 wk before last spring frost; semi-hardy = 2-4 wk before; tender = after average last frost; very tender = at least 2 wk after. Table 2: fall planting at least 4-8 wk before first fall frost.
University of New Hampshire Extension: Growing Vegetables: When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden [fact sheet] (accessed 2026-07-24)
Per-crop 'time from seed to transplant' and 'safe to set out in garden' relative to last frost.

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