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
S S S S S S S S S      
T T T T T T T T T T T  
P P P P P P P P P P P  

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • 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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03 May 17, Rae (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best time to plant corn in Geraldton WA
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04 May 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sow seed from September till the end of the year.
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03 Mar 17, Max (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in suburbs in Chatswood Sydney but as soon as the cobs form a rabbit turns up and eats all the corn (also the chillies).
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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The rabbit stew sounds like a great idea!
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05 Mar 17, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Max, Best trap the rabbit and enjoy a rabbit and vege stew.
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04 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rabbits, possums, etc can be a real menace with our vegetables. Multicrop have a product call 'Scat' which is supposed to provide protection for up to 10 weeks. I haven't used it but have used other products from the same company and found them to be safe and effective. It is available at Bunnings but should be available from other hardware stores and garden centres. the DEPI in Victoria, Dept Env. Land and Water have a number of solutions to the problem. Look up - www.depi.vic.gov.au and search for possum repellants. Their recipe using Quassia chips has been around for many years. Trust this helps.
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19 Feb 17, Pauline (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Mark Southcombe About the ants. While I have a lot of ants they are not a problem now that I am using a Bokashi system of compost. In fact no bugs are attacking my vegetables. I am growing corn for the first time and so far so good. I will keep an eye on all the things mentioned in this post.
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16 Feb 17, (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi There! I was wondering how I can get rid of the little black ants that are eating and nesting in my sweet corn. And something is eating away my capsicum........... Thank you
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16 Feb 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Ants can be a problem in the garden. You don't say in your note how many plants you have but if it is only a few you could smear a band of petroleum jelly around each stalk to trap them. Ants are also deterred by pepper. Buy some cheap pepper and sprinkle it liberally around the plants. this works well to stop ants stealing carrot seed, which they love. Regarding the ones that are nesting I don't have any suggestions. Maybe a small amount of kitchen washing up liquid mixed with water and sprayed onto the affected plants will suffocate them. Regarding chewing pests on your capsicums. Yates 'Natures Way' is a very saafe spray to use for caterpillars. I don't use synthetic sprays or chemicals in my garden. Trust this helps.
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17 Feb 17, LESLEY STRUDWICK (Australia - arid climate)
Thank you............ will give your suggestions a go.. :)
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Just separate a small part of the husk and have a look at the kernels. If they are a bright yellow and nice and plump then they are ready. Don't leave on the plant for too long after this time as the can start to dry and harden.

- Mike

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