Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

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

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	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

17 Jul 20, Sarah (USA - Zone 8a climate): Can I plant corn in mid July in zone.8a?
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07 Aug 20, Liz (USA - Zone 8a climate): If you are zone 8a, click on Vegetables and Herbs tab, go to sweet corn and look it up. Set your zone at the top of the page. Check planting times and follow the suggested planting methods.
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28 Jun 20, Judi (New Zealand - temperate climate): My 6-yr-old came home with an egg carton of sweetcorn seeds he'd planted at school. We put them on the windowsill and they've sprouted beautifully. But it's June, and although it's very mild now (in Waikato) we're expecting to get winter weather soon. He's very excited about these seedlings and would love to grow them to fruition - do you think I could grow them in a large pot as an indoor plant?
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30 Jun 20, Anonymous (New Zealand - temperate climate): Corn needs to be planted in rows about 6-800mm apart. Seeds need to be planted about 150mm apart. Best to grow 2 or more rows together in a block for pollination. When the tassel and silks come out it takes about 5 days for pollination. Then about 21 days for cob to be ready to pick. Read up on the net.
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29 Jun 20, Anon (New Zealand - temperate climate): Corn needs full sunlight to produce a good cob. If you fail this time try a more suitable time like spring summer to try again.
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28 Jun 20, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate): If you can stand your pot near a sunny window, you might be able to keep the sweetcorn growing. Protect it from cold temperatures and make sure it has plenty of light -
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24 Jun 20, Wendy Mingorance (Australia - temperate climate): I have a sweet corn 2cm just growing starting do I have to leave it under shade from heavy rain I take good care of it place them in nice pots I adore from seedlings what should I do ?
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30 Jun 20, wayne (Australia - temperate climate): Corn is a summer crop, should be put in around late oct to dec. lots of water and I think good nutrient
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25 Jun 20, (Australia - sub-tropical climate): I suggest you google
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29 May 20, Jack (Australia - tropical climate): What is the good time for Maize harvesting?? Our place is tropical, had a winter for short period of time, summer start from September till March.
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Perth: This impressive crop does take up a bit of room but it's well worth it; the sweetness of fresh picked home-grown sweet corn is hard to beat. Plant from September through to January. Preparing the site Choose a sunny site that’s protected from strong winds. Sweet corn is a hungry crop so it’s important to enrich your soil before planting. Add a plenty of aged manure and a handful of blood & bone per square metre and fork it in well. Sweet corn will do well in a bed that’s previously grown healthy peas or beans. In the right conditions, each plant will usually produce 2 ears of corn. Planting Plant seedlings or seeds (ensure seeds are fresh). Space 30cm apart and plant in blocks rather than a single long row. Planting in blocks assists pollination which is essential for the development of kernels. Plant early and late varieties in separate blocks for a longer season. Water seeds well after planting then sparingly until germination occurs as the seeds can rot easily. When the stalks are about 20cm high, mound the soil up against the stalks. This process, called hilling, encourages more roots to grow which will help stabilise the plant during windy conditions. You can also achieve the same result by planting the seeds in a furrow and backfilling as the plants grow. Watering and fertilising Once the plants are well underway it’s important to ensure an adequate moisture level, especially since the plants will be at their peak of fruit production over the hot months. Drip irrigate if possible and mulch well to retain moisture. As soon as the tassel appears at the top of the plant, give the soil a boost with a granular fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen. Insufficient pollination results in ears of corn with lots of missing kernels. Planting sweet corn in one long single row can result in most of the pollen being blown away, which is why gardeners plant corn in blocks instead.Can be hand pollinated by cutting off a pollen-laden tassel each day and gently brushing over the silks . Sweet corn is ready to pick 2-3 weeks after pollination and it's important to keep up the water during this time.

- Mike

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Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

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

Your comments and tips

Gardenate

Keep your garden growing - see what to plant right now

Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

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

Your comments and tips

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