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.

Your comments and tips

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04 May 17, Sean (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Corn and maize do well if they have plenty of compost or manure and a good water supply. They can normally be planted as the weather warms up in spring. probably mid-September onwards in Sydney. You could also plant climbing beans to grow up the corn stalks once the corn has reached about waist high.
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03 May 17, Rae (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Best time to plant corn in Geraldton WA
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04 May 17, Ken (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sow seed from September till the end of the year.
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30 Apr 17, zaakirah cassim (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
What season does the mealies get harvested in South Africa
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02 May 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
You would normally harvest mealies when the stalks and leaves have dried off. This would generally be in May but seasons do vary. If you harvest them before they are properly dry they may be susceptible to mould. Store your mealies in a dry, airy place.
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03 Mar 17, Max (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in suburbs in Chatswood Sydney but as soon as the cobs form a rabbit turns up and eats all the corn (also the chillies).
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06 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
The rabbit stew sounds like a great idea!
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05 Mar 17, Simon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Max, Best trap the rabbit and enjoy a rabbit and vege stew.
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04 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rabbits, possums, etc can be a real menace with our vegetables. Multicrop have a product call 'Scat' which is supposed to provide protection for up to 10 weeks. I haven't used it but have used other products from the same company and found them to be safe and effective. It is available at Bunnings but should be available from other hardware stores and garden centres. the DEPI in Victoria, Dept Env. Land and Water have a number of solutions to the problem. Look up - www.depi.vic.gov.au and search for possum repellants. Their recipe using Quassia chips has been around for many years. Trust this helps.
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19 Feb 17, Pauline (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Mark Southcombe About the ants. While I have a lot of ants they are not a problem now that I am using a Bokashi system of compost. In fact no bugs are attacking my vegetables. I am growing corn for the first time and so far so good. I will keep an eye on all the things mentioned in this post.
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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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