How to Plant Corn in Texas

Texas lies in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 to 9. Hot summers and mild winters make it an excellent environment for growing sweet corn in the home garden. If you have room, plant several cultivars for a range of sweetness. Among the varieties recommended by Texas A&M University are Kandy Korn, Silver Queen, Bodacious and How Sweet It Is. Plant several short rows of each, rather than one long row to ensure cross-pollination and a good crop.

Rototiller
Rake
10-10-10 fertilizer
Sprinkler
Hoe

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare soil for planting corn when all threat of frost is past. In Texas, this can be anywhere from late March to late April. Turn the soil with a rototiller, cultivating to a depth of 12 inches, removing rocks and old vegetation as you go.
- 2
  Spread 10-10-10 fertilizer evenly over the soil at a rate of 2 to 3 lbs. per 100 square feet. Till again to a depth of 4 inches, and rake smooth. Water with an inch of water.
- 3
  Pull the tip of a hoe through the soil to create rows that are 2 inches deep. Space rows 3 feet apart.
- 4
  Set seeds in the rows at a depth of 2 inches, 12 inches apart. Cover with soil, pat the soil down firmly and water with another inch of water. Seeds will germinate and sprout within 7 to 10 days.

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