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
T T T         T T T T T
P P           P P P P P

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in Australia - sub-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.
  • A seedling
  • A young corn plant
  • Feathery cobs on side of stem. Male flowers at top.

Plant in 4 by 4 blocks to encourage germination Pick when the silky threads on the cobs turn brown or black. Part the top of the leaves and test for ripeness by pressing a grain with your fingernail. If it is milky, it is ready.

Early varieties ripen quickly and are sweeter when just picked.

Avoid planting coloured maize ( for drying) near sweetcorn as they will cross-pollinate and spoil the cobs on both.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Sweet corn

Pick and cook within an hour. Remove the silks and outer leaves.
Best flavour if microwave about 4 minutes per cob.
Can be barbequed wrapped in foil
Cook large amounts in a stock pot until test soft.
Sprinkle with black pepper and dip in butter.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
11 Mar 25, Chris (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Planting / soil temp date? Varieties ( grew up in nw iowa with whatever pioneer seed offered.)?
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19 Feb 25, Pamela White (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Any tips for insect control or fertilizing corn?
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03 Mar 25, Faith Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
Corn needs BORON -- similar to sunflowers. Water once with the following: 4 liters (1 gal.) of water mixed with 2.5 mL (1⁄2 tsp.) of borax. This is your typical laundry borax - I use MULE Borax (The only ingredient in Borax is a naturally occurring mineral called sodium tetraborate. It's free of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals.-- this is a salt - so only apply once or twice in a year). IF POSSIBLE - and this is not always possible -- plant a few teosintes plants nearby -- these are WILD corn and for some reason domesticated corn grows much better with a few teosintes around (there can be 3 teosintes for an acre of corn). The teosintes are know as corn coaches/grandparents and corn is much more productive when there grandparents are present -- yes this sounds folklore like -- but it has been proven - and does seem to work really well. Also corn benefits from rich soil/compost and lots of nitrogen to help them grow, followed by more potassium once they get to the stage when they are developing cobs. ‘Sweetcorn is a grass and so it loves nitrogen, especially in the early stages. However, applying too much once the cobs form will promote more vegetative growth rather than ripening the cobs. Hope this helps - good luck.
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15 Feb 25, Nancy McAlary (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have been growing corn for several years, in small blocks in my suburban garden plot (6 to 12 stems at time). I stagger the planting to have a more continuous supply. In order to get full cobs (no gaps), corn, which is movement/wind pollinated, needs to have pollen from the top fall onto the lower cobs (with their silks showing). All I do is determine whether the pollen is ripe by tapping the top stem. They usually release pollen twice a day, in morning and then later in the day. If I see a small cloud of pollen falling, I break a few pieces of the top male flower spike and place them across the silks. If you have a big plot of corn they should self-pollinate easily and don't need this done, if you have smaller plots like me, it will always guarantee full cobs.
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15 Mar 25, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I read that corn pollinates for 5 days. So after about 2-3 days I wrap my hand around the bottom of the tassel and run my hand upwards. The pollen falls down onto the silks. Pick 21 days approx after pollination
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01 Feb 25, Emeline Donoso-Brady (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
The temperature here in Lithgow is from 14-26 till April, can I sow corn now? Thanks Emeline
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15 Mar 25, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Too late by the guide here.
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31 Dec 24, Carrie (USA - Zone 8b climate)
What are the best dates to plant sweet corn in zone 8b Alabama?
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06 Jan 25, (USA - Zone 8b climate)
2-3 weeks after last frost.
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05 Jan 25, (USA - Zone 5b climate)
Look up the planting guide for your area.
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I'm not certain - but when I read your post the first thing that came to mind was a Boron deficiency -- corn likes boron the same way that sunflowers like boron. From the net a study of corn and boron results: It was concluded that: (1) a lack of boron can cause blank stalks and barren ears; (2), the supply of available boron must be continuous; and (3), the critical level of boron in the upper leaves appears to be in between 11 to 13 ppm. I suspect you can apply boron the same way you would to sunflowers (though I am not certain)-- from the net for sunflowers: When the plants are 30cm (12) tall, dissolve 5ml (1 tsp) of borax (for boron) in 350 ml (12 fl oz) of water and spread the solution over 5m (15′) of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution.

- Celeste Archer

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