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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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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19 Jul 17, Colleen (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best corn variety for Victoria... Gippsland?
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02 Aug 17, Bev (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
What corn you grow is really based on what you're hoping to eat/cook. If you look at the seed catalogues of the open pollinated seed companies, you'll find they offer hybrid varieties too.
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21 Jul 17, Mike (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would have a guess and say it probably doesn't matter what variety you plant but more when you plant it. Temperate - Sept to Jan and Cool - Oct to Jan. I tried a heirloom variety and it didn't taste very good. Went back to the Big Hardware Chain (Bunnings) and bought seedlings - the hybrid kind. Probably comes down to what kind of corn you prefer. I have tried seed planting for green cabbage, red cabbage, broccoli and corn this year - won't bother again - will just buy seedlings.
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29 Jul 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Something I have done and will do again is use a cob of corn I bought from a supermarket. Or a cob from a planting of seedlings. Let it dry out and use the seeds. Only do this one or two times and then start with a new cob. Hybrids don't grow true to type.
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12 Jun 17, (USA - Zone 5a climate)
In order to have a later harvest when is the last date in my time zone that I can plant sweet corn. We already have first planting in.
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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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