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

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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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04 May 17, Tony Morales (Australia - temperate climate)
I usually plant yellow (mild) chillies, tomatoes, capsicums, lettuce and herbs which possums do not seem to touch but have blocked up any possible rabbit entry (they a few around Forestville) so I really have no problems.I Still would love to find out when and how to plant my purple corn.
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Perth: This impressive crop does take up a bit of room but it's well worth it; the sweetness of fresh picked home-grown sweet corn is hard to beat. Plant from September through to January. Preparing the site Choose a sunny site that’s protected from strong winds. Sweet corn is a hungry crop so it’s important to enrich your soil before planting. Add a plenty of aged manure and a handful of blood & bone per square metre and fork it in well. Sweet corn will do well in a bed that’s previously grown healthy peas or beans. In the right conditions, each plant will usually produce 2 ears of corn. Planting Plant seedlings or seeds (ensure seeds are fresh). Space 30cm apart and plant in blocks rather than a single long row. Planting in blocks assists pollination which is essential for the development of kernels. Plant early and late varieties in separate blocks for a longer season. Water seeds well after planting then sparingly until germination occurs as the seeds can rot easily. When the stalks are about 20cm high, mound the soil up against the stalks. This process, called hilling, encourages more roots to grow which will help stabilise the plant during windy conditions. You can also achieve the same result by planting the seeds in a furrow and backfilling as the plants grow. Watering and fertilising Once the plants are well underway it’s important to ensure an adequate moisture level, especially since the plants will be at their peak of fruit production over the hot months. Drip irrigate if possible and mulch well to retain moisture. As soon as the tassel appears at the top of the plant, give the soil a boost with a granular fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen. Insufficient pollination results in ears of corn with lots of missing kernels. Planting sweet corn in one long single row can result in most of the pollen being blown away, which is why gardeners plant corn in blocks instead.Can be hand pollinated by cutting off a pollen-laden tassel each day and gently brushing over the silks . Sweet corn is ready to pick 2-3 weeks after pollination and it's important to keep up the water during this time.

- Mike

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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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