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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26 Aug 18, Mokhethi (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
When is it best time to grow maize for first harvest? ?
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02 Apr 18, Macuei Bona (Australia - temperate climate)
I moved to southern Tasmania from overseas and am not sure when to plant corn in this part of the country. Advice please.
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04 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Click on climate zone - temperate and look up sweet corn. Sept to Jan. It says similar for sub-topical but I grow it all year.
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04 Apr 18, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
In Tasmania I would be looking at November, assuming all risk of frost has past.
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30 Dec 17, Karen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We are growing True Gold sweet corn - has anyone else had trouble with "exposed cobs" short husks ? I didn't think that the plants were exposed to any stress . Is this variety more susceptible to experiencing stress? Anyway some cobs look OK and I'll see what happens to the exposed ones.
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04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A couple of the cobs of corn I just picked had some exposed corn at the top end. They were quite long cobs 9+ inches. Real strong healthy plants. Sometimes on the side shoots of the plant the cob ends up exposing and doesn't produce a real cob of corn.
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06 Oct 17, yasmin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
can Corn grow in Quilpie
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14 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mulch around the plants to keep the soil cooler. When the plants have grown about 1' high hill the soil up around them. When another 1' higher, fertilise down each side and hill up again - then mulch them.
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09 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
Requirements to grow something. A medium to grow in (soil), water, sun and fertiliser. Have a go.
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01 Oct 17, Erik smith (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi when I grow sweetcorn the corn seems to not mature properly very skinny narrow small cobs that stay white without many kernels which are very pale.i an in Brisbane Qld
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Showing 131 - 140 of 413 comments
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When planting very small seedlings protect them with some shade for 5-7 days. Transplant seedlings when they are 75-100mm high. Seasol is not fertiliser, it is a soil conditioner. Go and buy some fertiliser (organic or chemical). Wait until the plants have grown to 150mm high then fert lightly. Do again a month later, this time use more fertiliser - read the instructions. Buy a 2-3 kg packet of fert. The little tubs of fert are a rip off. When growing corn plant 2-3-4 rows 600mm apart for pollination reasons. Corn needs lots of fert and water.

- 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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