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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06 Jan 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
How do tell corn is ready to pick
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10 Jan 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It's usually ready when the tassles/threads are drying up or black/brown. You can peel back the leaves around the top of the cob before picking to check if it is ripe and fold them back to keep growing if it isn't ready.
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05 Jan 13, Hilda (Australia - arid climate)
how many cobs of corn can you expect to harvest from each plant
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10 Jan 13, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
It depends on the variety. Most seem to produce two or three, but I've seen some varieties with four or five.
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31 Dec 12, lawrence (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
once the corn has been picked do you cut off the stalks and it regrows or do you pill it out and plant again
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31 Dec 12, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Corn doesn't regrow. I cut it off low leaving the roots to rot, and plant some beans around the stumps to boost the soil fertility.
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29 Dec 12, Kerry Hann (Australia - temperate climate)
Our corn has looked lovely but now something funny is going on some of the corn have lost the silk tops and the leaf around the cob has split open and come dwn a little showing some of the corn. also right on the top of the plants the tassles I gather a small cob has formed on a couple?? any ideas whats going on this doesnt sound normal.
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31 Dec 12, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Is something eating the silks off inside the cobs? Maybe the plants have got a bit stressed? Lack of water or too much heat?
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16 Dec 12, Ryan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yet again my corn grown in 3 rows, spaced about 30cm apart, has failed. The plant is beautiful and green, and about 2m tall. The cobs just don't develop, even though the threads are turning brown. It appears it's a pollination problem, but I'm not sure what else I can do. Maybe where they're planted doesn't get enough breeze. Any other ideas?
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30 Dec 12, Ivan (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Ryan, I second what Colin said about planting in blocks. I used to plant in rows as well and came up with nothing. When planted in rows and closer together, I started getting results and the sweetest corn that we have tasted. No need to dip in butter as well. My dad even ate it straight off the plant without cooking.
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