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
        P P            

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

  • 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

19 Mar 22, Elder (USA - Zone 7b climate)
No, to be safe succession plant. Starting late Feb. thru Mar.
14 Feb 22, Julia (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hello I planted corn glass gem and because I had a few gaps in the plot I planted about half again with sweet corn. It has been 15 weeks since planting on 25oct and they are tall but the cobs and not cobbing very much. They seem immature. Is this perhaps as I planted the two types?
04 Mar 22, guggerlugs (New Zealand - temperate climate)
When I plant sweetcorn seed I usually plant a few more than needed if you have failures they are readily transplanted then you can fill the gaps, if they all germinate if you leave a bit of space at the edges you can shift them there.Don't plant too many but plant batches about 4 weeks apart if you have the space then you won't get over run with corn my third crop is just forming tassles now as we finish the last few cobs.
22 Feb 22, Anonymous (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Did you over plant the plot? Corn needs to be spaced as the directions say and it needs to be well watered and fertilised. Plants that germinate later than some can be left behind and not grow well, small thin weak.
17 Feb 22, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)
I'm not certain - but when I read your post the first thing that came to mind was a Boron deficiency -- corn likes boron the same way that sunflowers like boron. From the net a study of corn and boron results: It was concluded that: (1) a lack of boron can cause blank stalks and barren ears; (2), the supply of available boron must be continuous; and (3), the critical level of boron in the upper leaves appears to be in between 11 to 13 ppm. I suspect you can apply boron the same way you would to sunflowers (though I am not certain)-- from the net for sunflowers: When the plants are 30cm (12) tall, dissolve 5ml (1 tsp) of borax (for boron) in 350 ml (12 fl oz) of water and spread the solution over 5m (15′) of row. Be careful not to over-apply this solution.
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.
Showing 31 - 40 of 413 comments

My sweet corn seemed to go well at first but most of the cobs were undersized. It was growing in a shallow no dig garden, could depth of soil be responsible?

- Colleen

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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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