Sweet corn is an annual with yellow, white, and bi-colored ears. A long, frost-free growing season is necessary after planting. Sweet corn is wind-pollinated, so it should be planted in blocks, rather than in single rows. Early, mid, and late-season varieties extend the harvest. If you miss the optimal harvest time, corn will go downhill fast as sugars convert to starch.
Planting
Corn is picky about its soil. Work in aged manure or compost the fall before planting and let over winter in the soil.
Starting seeds indoors is not recommended.
Plant seeds outdoors two weeks after the last spring frost date.
Make sure soil temperature is above 60 degrees for successful germination. (Up to 65 for super sweet varieties.) In colder zones, the ground can be warmed by a black plastic cover if necessary. Plant seeds through holes.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 4 to 6 inches apart. Space rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Thin new plants to 8 to 12 inches apart when they grow to 4 inches tall.
For sufficient pollination, plan your plot right. Don’t plant two long rows, rather, plant corn blocks of at least four rows.
You may choose to fertilize at planting time, corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this can be skipped.
Water well at planting time.
Care
Be careful not to damage the roots when weeding.
Soil must be well drained and able to keep consistent moisture.
In dry conditions, be sure to keep corn well watered due to its shallow roots. Water at a rate of 5 gallons per sq yard. Mulch helps reduce evaporation.
When the plants are 4 to 5 inches tall, thin them to stand 16 to 23 inches apart.
Harvest/Storage
Harvest when tassels begin to turn brown and cobs start to swell. Kernels should be full and milky.
Pull ears downward and twist to take off stalk.
Sweet corn varieties lose their sweetness soon after harvesting.
Prepare for eating or preserving immediately after picking.
Sweet corn freezes well, especially if removed from ears before freezing.
Recommended Varieties
There are three types of sweet corn: Normal, sugar enhanced and super sweet. Each one contains a different level of sucrose, changing the flavor and texture of the corn. Sweeter varieties will stay sweeter for longer after harvest.
‘Iochief’ Midseason normal-sugar variety. Yellow.
‘Silver Queen’ normal sugar-variety. Resistant to some bacterial diseases. White.
‘Challenger Crisp n Sweet’ supersweet variety, resistant to some diseases, high yield. Yellow.
‘Pristine’ sugar enhanced variety, good taste. White.
Planting
Corn is picky about its soil. Work in aged manure or compost the fall before planting and let over winter in the soil.
Starting seeds indoors is not recommended.
Plant seeds outdoors two weeks after the last spring frost date.
Make sure soil temperature is above 60 degrees for successful germination. (Up to 65 for super sweet varieties.) In colder zones, the ground can be warmed by a black plastic cover if necessary. Plant seeds through holes.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 4 to 6 inches apart. Space rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Thin new plants to 8 to 12 inches apart when they grow to 4 inches tall.
For sufficient pollination, plan your plot right. Don’t plant two long rows, rather, plant corn blocks of at least four rows.
You may choose to fertilize at planting time, corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this can be skipped.
Water well at planting time.
Care
Be careful not to damage the roots when weeding.
Soil must be well drained and able to keep consistent moisture.
In dry conditions, be sure to keep corn well watered due to its shallow roots. Water at a rate of 5 gallons per sq yard. Mulch helps reduce evaporation.
When the plants are 4 to 5 inches tall, thin them to stand 16 to 23 inches apart.
Harvest/Storage
Harvest when tassels begin to turn brown and cobs start to swell. Kernels should be full and milky.
Pull ears downward and twist to take off stalk.
Sweet corn varieties lose their sweetness soon after harvesting.
Prepare for eating or preserving immediately after picking.
Sweet corn freezes well, especially if removed from ears before freezing.
Recommended Varieties
There are three types of sweet corn: Normal, sugar enhanced and super sweet. Each one contains a different level of sucrose, changing the flavor and texture of the corn. Sweeter varieties will stay sweeter for longer after harvest.
‘Iochief’ Midseason normal-sugar variety. Yellow.
‘Silver Queen’ normal sugar-variety. Resistant to some bacterial diseases. White.
‘Challenger Crisp n Sweet’ supersweet variety, resistant to some diseases, high yield. Yellow.
‘Pristine’ sugar enhanced variety, good taste. White.
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