When to plant sweet corn in Florida
Florida’s average last spring frost is February 12, and the first fall frost typically arrives around December 10 — about 301 frost-free days (USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a). Sweet Corn needs 60–100 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Florida's growing season.
Florida covers a wide range of climates, so your exact frost dates may differ from the state average by two weeks or more. For dates tuned to your town, use the calendar generator.
When to plant sweet corn in Florida: the short answer
For a spring planting, sow Feb 14 – Mar 5. Wait until the soil is at least 55°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Florida: Mar 5 · Mar 19 · Apr 2 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 · May 14 · May 28 · Jun 11
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow sweet corn in Florida, step by step
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 24 inches deep, with a pH between 5.8 and 7.0. Dig in compost before planting.
- Sow outdoors (Feb 14 – Mar 5). Space plants about 10 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart, sowing seed 1.5 inches deep. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. It needs plenty of water; keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, raccoons. Diseases and disorders: common smut, common rust, Stewart's wilt.
- Harvest (from about Apr 20 – May 30). Sweet Corn takes 60-100 days to reach harvest. Plant in a block of at least 4 short rows, not one long row, or the ears fill unevenly. Keep sugar-enhanced and supersweet types isolated from field corn. Succeed by sowing every 2 weeks or planting early/mid/late varieties together.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Florida’s average frost dates. More in the full sweet corn growing guide.
Sweet Corn planting dates by USDA zone in Florida
Florida spans USDA zones 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the sweet corn dates shift with them.
When to plant sweet corn in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Sow |
|---|---|---|
| Florida (this page) | February 12 | Feb 14 – Mar 5 |
| Alabama | March 25 | Mar 27 – Apr 15 |
| Mississippi | March 20 | Mar 22 – Apr 10 |
| Louisiana | March 5 | Mar 7 – Mar 26 |
| Arkansas | April 3 | Apr 5 – Apr 24 |
Questions gardeners in Florida ask
When is the best time to plant sweet corn in Florida?
Sow sweet corn in Florida between February 14 and March 5. That timing is set by Florida's average last spring frost of February 12; Florida spans several climates, so cooler and higher parts of the state run later.
What is the latest I can plant sweet corn in Florida?
About October 11. Sweet corn needs at least 60 days to mature, and frost around December 10 ends the season, so later plantings risk being cut short.
When will sweet corn planted in Florida be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, sweet corn is usually ready from about April 20 to May 30, 60-100 days after sowing.
When is the last frost in Florida?
On average around February 12, with the first fall frost around December 10 - about 301 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.