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Growing Sweet corn, also maize

(Zea mays, var. rugosa)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
        P P P          

(Best months for planting Sweet corn in USA - Zone 5a regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


  • 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: All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
  • Avoid growing with: Celery.
  • A seedling
  • A young corn plant
  • Feathery cobs on side of stem. Male flowers at top.

Your comments and tips

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31 Jan 09, corey (Australia - temperate climate)
first time grower how do i tell if my corn is ready
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15 Feb 09, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
We have tried to grow corn, but it comes out claggy when we go to eat it. It appears OK, but the texture isn't right. Anyone have any suggestions on what may cause this?
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21 Feb 09, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The corn does not form completely on the cob. Does anybody know why? Thanks.
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22 Feb 09, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ian, poor pollination can result in corn not forming completely. Could your corn be planted too far apart, or in rows instead of the recommended blocks? (See the comment from willo on 20th Jan). It could also be due to insufficient water.
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22 Feb 09, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks Chris, they are in blocks, but what I may be doing wrong is that I am dusting the silk for grubs as soon as it pops out & maybe that is stopping the pollination.
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01 Mar 09, anaura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi I'mplanting corn for the first time , but the leaves are loosing colour and have small brown specs on I was a bit sloe at watering and it has been very hot can any one help . thanks
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03 Mar 09, Dean (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi. I've grown some beautiful sweet corn before, but this new crop(different house) looks awesome but tatses very flourery.Any suggetsions.
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16 Apr 09, Thomas (Australia - tropical climate)
Hello, does anyone know where I can buy sweet corn seeds for a tropical climate? I need to do a sample in Panama, Central America. Thank you in advance for any help. thomasp@gthub.com
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17 May 09, Jared (Australia - temperate climate)
Julie ' i have grown corn in blocks for better pollination and when you think its about time to harvest open the tip of the cob and pop one of the kernals if its clear its not ready if its gluggy and thick its over harvest but if its got a creamy white texture (which is not long after the silk goes brown) its time to roast him on the BBQ.
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17 May 09, Kasha (Australia - temperate climate)
Dean a friend of mine advised me that sweetcorn will taste floury when grown out of season, when it is too cold something about them not ripening properly from the cold. I find if I grow corn during Autumn/Winter my corn stalk is stunted to under 1m and produces floury corn....YUK
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Dean a friend of mine advised me that sweetcorn will taste floury when grown out of season, when it is too cold something about them not ripening properly from the cold. I find if I grow corn during Autumn/Winter my corn stalk is stunted to under 1m and produces floury corn....YUK

- Kasha


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