Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

Zea mays, var. rugosa : Poaceae / the grass family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
        P P            

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in USA - Zone 5a regions)

  • P = Sow seed
  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Celery.

Your comments and tips

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11 Apr 10, chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i grew my first bunch of corn last season but was not very succesful i grew them from a punnet that i brought.... this year i will plant by seed would it be better to plant direct or sow in seed trays? :) x
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18 May 10, dave (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
i have found it best to plant your corn from seed the seedlings dont seem to like to be transplanted they are almost sertain to die.plus i always soak my seeds in tepid water overnight to encourige germination.
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19 May 10, Wayne (Australia - temperate climate)
I found exactly the same - corn seedlings from the garden shop invariably die or do poorly. Much better to start from seed.
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30 May 10, Diana (Australia - temperate climate)
Corn don't transplant well. Direct sowing is much better.
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20 Oct 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have grown corn by both methods, never lost a plant when transplanting. i usually start my first lot off in a cold frame and then after that lot gets going and the soil has warmed a bit i plant them straight into the ground planting half a dozen more than i want to put in place of any that fail to germinate. i plant about 25 seeds a time every couple of weeks over the summer
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10 Apr 10, louise (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ihave grown corn for the first time and am delighted I grew from packet seed straight into the ground and as they became young plants separated each one and sowed into rows I watered and watered they need constant water upkeep now they are ready for eating the tails are brownish in colour and i had about three coblets to each stalk purely organic didnt have to keep the bugs away . the trick is water everyday
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02 Apr 10, Geoff (Australia - tropical climate)
when cooking my corn I just wrap it in baking paper with the ends twisted & cook it in the microwave for 2 & a half minutes, cooked & still has a nice crunch to it,a dash of butter if you want but straight up is good for me.
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23 Mar 10, bob stratford (Australia - temperate climate)
boil corn for 10mns with a pinch of sugar but make sure the corn is cold before you add to the boiling water this will stop the natual sugars from excaping, place on a plate and smear butter and salt you carn't go wrong.
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23 Mar 10, aaron (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Most of the produce has been eaten by insects. Is there any organic base spray to combat this?
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26 Feb 10, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hey Jason, your corn sound fantastic! I had a bad time with corn this year - male flowers came out in a heat wave before the female tassels were out and massive winds blew pollen away. So yield was down, but still v yummy! I'm tempted to stick in another crop now - hopefully not too late in the year.
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I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers.

- Celeste Archer

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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