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

29 Aug 18, Peter Isaac (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, we have just moved into new home on the Bellarine in Vic, having moved from up in Murray river area of Echuca. and now we have retired, so I have prepared two garden beds approx 2m x 3m x 4cm high on the south side of our home this area is very well protected about 4 weeks ago we put Chicken poo and x 4 bags a lot fertelizes but it was not heavy type, also the dirt was a sandy loom which will retain water, we are holding off planting perhaps start next week which is early September on some seeds, we are looking forward to this experiance as up North it was very hot and working made it hard to keep up, so hear we go looking forward to everything and anyones advices, thanks Peter
30 Aug 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Make sure you have 9-12
02 Sep 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Make sure you have a good depth of soil - 9-12 inches. If putting manures etc in the soil do it 4-6 weeks before planting. Wet it a few times and turn it over a couple of times also before planting - to mix it in the soil and help it break down. What is lot fertiliser??
02 Apr 18, Macuei Bona (Australia - temperate climate)
I moved to southern Tasmania from overseas and am not sure when to plant corn in this part of the country. Advice please.
04 Apr 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Click on climate zone - temperate and look up sweet corn. Sept to Jan. It says similar for sub-topical but I grow it all year.
04 Apr 18, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
In Tasmania I would be looking at November, assuming all risk of frost has past.
30 Dec 17, Karen (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
We are growing True Gold sweet corn - has anyone else had trouble with "exposed cobs" short husks ? I didn't think that the plants were exposed to any stress . Is this variety more susceptible to experiencing stress? Anyway some cobs look OK and I'll see what happens to the exposed ones.
04 Jan 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
A couple of the cobs of corn I just picked had some exposed corn at the top end. They were quite long cobs 9+ inches. Real strong healthy plants. Sometimes on the side shoots of the plant the cob ends up exposing and doesn't produce a real cob of corn.
06 Oct 17, yasmin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
can Corn grow in Quilpie
14 Nov 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Mulch around the plants to keep the soil cooler. When the plants have grown about 1' high hill the soil up around them. When another 1' higher, fertilise down each side and hill up again - then mulch them.
Showing 71 - 80 of 324 comments

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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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