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 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

30 Jan 22, Margaret Hefner (USA - Zone 10b climate)
Everything wonderful to you and yours for 2022 and following! Wow, I was getting frustrated to find an endeavor that produced something that I can read, use, understand, not mis-understand... y'all are my new champions (as if champions ever get old). Welcome back, and glad to discover you, Margaret in Baja January 30! I have the whole year to be able to appreciate you!
28 Oct 21, Mike (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I plant sweet corn on dryland/with rain?
31 Oct 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Corn needs plenty of regular watering - like each couple of days.
10 Aug 21, Saeed & Amina Hashmi (USA - Zone 10b climate)
can i grow corn in planters?If, yes any recommendation on planter size and number of corn seed per planter. I have very small area in backyard with very sandy soil and nothing grows there easily.
06 Jul 22, C. B. (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I got great information on using fabric grow bag planters from YouTube. Her channel name: Growfully with Jenna / Title of video: Can I Grow Sweet Corn in a Container? Absolutely! / Date published: Sep 1, 2020 / Length of video: 5:39 She suggests using 20 gallon grow bag planters. No smaller. She suggests making 6 holes in soil with 2 seeds in each hole and thin if need be. She says she does two seeds because every now and then, you'll get a seed that won't germinate. I hope this helps. Please check out her video. :) P.S. She does discuss the type of soil to use because corn is a very heavy feeder. She says use 50% mushroom compost and 50% garden soil.
29 Aug 21, anon (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Try and buy some soil or find free or cheap soil and improve your soil with manures and compost.
06 Jun 21, Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
Best time to grow corn temperate area (Check here : www.gardenate.com/plant/Sweet corn?zone=2 Editor )
17 Mar 21, GLORIA (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can i plant corn maize in pots?
14 Apr 21, Brad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You sure can I grew corn in pots last season, I used 500x390mm pots from bunnings (the biggest plastic pots they had) I had 9 pots in total in a cube with 3 corn plants in each one and they grew well, those pots are way to heavy for the wind to blow over. I have also used milk crates if you have any of them lying around just chop up your old compost bags and line the inside of the crates and fill, they're really easy to move around they're actually easier to move around then the big plastic pots haha.
18 Mar 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Corn should be planted in blocks, that is 2-3 or more rows for pollination reasons. It is probably up to you - do you want say 20 x 30mm+ pots. When plants are 1.2-1.8m high they can blow over in the wind.
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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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