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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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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02 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Your corn is not being pollinated. Plant several rows - helps pollination. When the tassel (top part) and ears (cob) have come out, run your hand up (close the fingers in) the tassel to release the pollen and it falls down on the ears. It will collect the pollen as you run your hand up and then drop it on the ears, Plenty of water.
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04 Oct 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I usually give my corn a hit up with fertiliser when I hill the plants up when they are about 15-18" high. You could use de-composted manure or compost. The wind usually helps with the pollination process but sometime no wind or it is too strong.
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01 Oct 17, Darren (Australia - temperate climate)
Sweetcorn needs a lot of compost and aged manure dug into the soil beforehand; it is a very hungry crop. Also loves water.
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27 Aug 17, Rhyce (Australia - tropical climate)
why can't you grow corn near celery
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24 Oct 22, Natalie (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Companion planting is a common practice. Certain plants use up a lot of nutrients from the ground. And shouldn't be planted with plants that need those nutrients. Conversely there are plants that's should be planted together, as they help the plants grow stronger, sweeter or even deter pests.
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Showing 141 - 150 of 418 comments
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Colleen, the shallow soil shouldn't be a problem as sweetcorn has a fibrous root system and is shallow rooted. The most important thing is too keep the moisture up and keep them well mulched if soil is shallow. If cobs are small due to not all kerels developing, this due to lack of pollination. Follow the instructions on the site and plant in blocks. Regards.

- willo

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