Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Corn (Sweet) in Louisiana

Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn. Plant in blocks (not rows) for proper pollination.

The Short Answer

In Louisiana, corn (sweet) planting dates vary by region. In Northern Louisiana, your average last frost is around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana sees its last frost around Feb 1 - Feb 20. Since corn (sweet) are frost-sensitive, direct sow 2 weeks after your last frost date. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas.

Louisiana Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of Louisiana you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region	Zones	Last Frost (Spring)	First Frost (Fall)
Northern Louisiana	8a, 8b	Mar 1 - Mar 15	Nov 10 - Nov 25
Southern Louisiana	9a, 9b	Feb 1 - Feb 20	Dec 1 - Dec 20

Corn (Sweet) Planting Schedule for Louisiana

Northern Louisiana (Zones 8a, 8b)

Average last frost: Mar 1 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Nov 25

Direct Sow

2 wks after frost

Southern Louisiana (Zones 9a, 9b)

Average last frost: Feb 1 - Feb 20 · Average first frost: Dec 1 - Dec 20

Direct Sow

2 wks after frost

Growing Corn (Sweet) in Louisiana

Corn (Sweet) in Louisiana's Climate

Sweet corn hits the table earlier in warm climates — plant in March-April and harvest before northern states even think about planting. The goal is tasseling before consistent 95°F+ days, which can impair pollination. A second short-season crop in late July for fall harvest is possible in many warm zones.

Soil Considerations for Louisiana

Rich alluvial soils in river valleys. Heavy clay in many areas. Acidic throughout. Sandy in some coastal areas. Make sure soil has warmed to at least 60°F before planting corn (sweet) outside.

Louisiana Climate & Growing Season

Subtropical. Long growing season. Very hot and humid summers — some crops need shade. Year-round gardening possible. Corn (Sweet) cannot tolerate any frost, so wait until all frost danger has passed before transplanting outside. Watch local forecasts carefully in spring.

Growing season length varies across Louisiana: Northern Louisiana (8a, 8b) has a last frost around Mar 1 - Mar 15, while Southern Louisiana (9a, 9b) sees frost end around Feb 1 - Feb 20. This difference matters for corn (sweet) — transplant timing shifts by several weeks across the state.

Growing Tips

Plant in blocks of at least 4x4 for wind pollination. Corn is a heavy feeder — amend soil with compost before planting.

Companion Planting

Plant corn (sweet) alongside these companions for better growth:

Beans Squash Melons

Keep corn (sweet) away from:

Tomatoes

The Bottom Line

Corn (Sweet) can be grown successfully across Louisiana, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Northern Louisiana gardeners should plan around a Mar 1 - Mar 15 last frost, while those in Southern Louisiana can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026