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 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm 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

05 Jan 23, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)
More about finding a variety you like. Some corns are starchy and some really sweet.
30 Dec 22, Mark (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We were hit with terrible and unexpected hail last week and because of this some corn plants have tassels early due to the stress. I keep reading everywhere why it’s happened, but NOT what to do next. Anyone experienced this before? Should I leave, pull them up etc?
05 Jan 23, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Depends whether they can pollinate the corn ear.
20 Nov 22, Pam Thies (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Zone 9b can corn be started in ghse. and transplanted into outside raised bed?
04 Dec 22, (USA - Zone 9a climate)
Transfer when about 6' high.
10 Sep 22, Wayne McClelland (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Q1. Is Corn a Vegetable or Fruit ? To confuse the issue further, Berries have their seeds on the outside, Fruit has the seed on the inside. Q2. I ask this question for the distribution of NPK in the plots. I have Roots (N), Fruit (K), and Leaf (P), the garden has been farrow now for about 3 years so should be pretty good Kind regards Wayne McClelland
14 Sep 22, Anonymous (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Q1 Botanist call it a fruit. - Q 2 Very basically - N is for leaf production/plant growth - P is for root development and K is for flowering and fruit. Each of these help the plant grow in many ways. Google and learn more about how plants grow. Leaving soil fallow for 3 years does not make it fertile. You need to add manures compost fertilisers etc to make soil fertile and do this 1-2 mths before planting crops.
19 May 22, Mike (USA - Zone 9a climate)
How much 33-0-0 Nitrate should I use on my sweet corn per 100 ft of row? My rows are pretty big, so I would say the corn is at least 2 feet apart from row to row. That said should I plant at the bottom of the rows, or closer to the plants? Thanks.
24 May 22, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is the 33-0-0 the NPK of the fertiliser? If so I would use a more balanced fertiliser 12-15N, 3-6P, 8-15K. Grow your corn to about 1.5 feet and then run a handfull down each side covering about 4-5' with each handfull. Then hill the soil up around the plants - new roots will grow and help stabilise the plants. If you want to fertilise before planting don't use 33N - it will burn the roots of new germinating plants. Spread the fertiliser over about 1' of the row width and rake/dig it into the soil before planting seeds.
18 Mar 22, Elise Blanchard (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Is it too late to plant corn here in zone 7b?
Showing 21 - 30 of 413 comments

Try and buy some soil or find free or cheap soil and improve your soil with manures and compost.

- anon

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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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