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

15 Oct 12, billy (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Wayne, It would be a good idea to stagger the planting, as they all wont be ready at the same time, i have been growing corn most of my life, my father used to have an obsession with corn and now i believe i do just not to his degree ha ha ha, Let me know how ya crop turns out Bill Enhard Of South Australia p.s hope it all goes well lol Bill Enhard x
31 Jul 12, Brian Vendt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Had a good crop last summer.This year,I have planted the corn into punnetts,without much success.I have a new garden for the next lot,and I will sow directly into the ground.Is it a good idea to soak the kernels overnight,to soften the seed.Maybe mix in some liquid seaweed?Would the same advice apply to bean seeds?Thankyou.I live on the Gold Coast.
16 Nov 12, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate)
Liquid seaweed won;t hurt..I added a little blood and bone to the mix..seemed to work real well.. So well in fact the ducks took a liking and nearly wiped out my crop. A few survived..so there wil now be a bit of a stagger plant coming up..!
19 Aug 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In reply to your question,yes i soak all my bean seeds,as it tends to speed up there germination.I live in Nth NSW
25 Mar 12, arabella (Australia - temperate climate)
how many ears of corn grow per stalk?
03 Jan 12, eva (Australia - temperate climate)
why is my cobs goin brown, is it a insect or not incorrect watering this is my second year of goin corn, they grow well but when its time to eat they are brown and rotten parts inside the corn, please help as its a waste of time and water
13 Dec 11, susan mbacho (Australia - tropical climate)
questions; what are factors for growing maize?
15 Nov 11, jeanette neumann (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
All the leaves are coming away from the corn befori iit is formed properly and i have never seen this before do you know what this might be from . thankyou Jeanette
13 Nov 11, Jeannette (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I read that the flower should be cut when cobs are ripening. Is this correct? And do they mean the male flower at the top?
30 Oct 11, Leo H (Australia - temperate climate)
How can I grow corn seedlings? This spring is so cool and wet that my potting mix remains too wet and the seeds get waterlogged and my germination rate is around 2%.
Showing 221 - 230 of 323 comments

Hiya i got given two shoots of sweetcorn, one about1inch high & the other is double in size (height) & i have just planted them both in the ground ... Just wondering if replanted wrong or too early.. Im in Vic melbourne... Its gonna b hot tday n stsying in the 20degrees all week... Also is seasol a good enough fertiliser ? Or? Will have more questions again soon no doubt (growing my collection of 24 seeds) thankyou kindly from the newbie in outdoor gardening)

- Anishka

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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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