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

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.
07 Mar 21, Wendy Wong (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am coming to the end of my Corn harvest. I have noticed that the corn is now poker dotted with white & yellow corn. All of my corn is from the same seeds I just staggered the planting to have corn for longer. Also the caterpillars are more frequent as are the gaps in the corn. Are all these normal for end of season "problems"?
08 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - arid climate)
You probably have some bicolour seeds mixed in with your normal seeds. Caterpillers are probably due to more rain this time of year for breeding. Gaps in the corn kernels is from poor pollination, windy when pollination is happening. Pollination happens over 4-5 days, run your hand up the tassel then rub on the silks. Also plant more than one row at a time. (Or in a square)
14 Mar 21, Wendy Wong (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thank You. This information is much appreciated.
12 Feb 21, Pamela Newman (USA - Zone 9b climate)
Names of sweet corn grown in Goleta CA. Zone 9b, please. Thank you!!!
15 Feb 21, Anonymous (USA - Zone 5a climate)
You can grow most corns anywhere, just get the planting time right.
04 Feb 21, Helen Tapper (New Zealand - temperate climate)
This is my 2nd season of growing corn, last season was very successful, this year - not so. I have planted them almost exactly in the same spot as last season. Was that the right thing to do or wrong. The other point is that we have had some pretty crazy summer temperatures, high 20's then low to mid teens. I fertilised the garden during the winter/early spring.
05 Feb 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Better to plant in different spot. Corn is a big user of fertiliser and water. When preparing the soil add compost/manures if possible, Soils always need some fibre replacement each year. Then mark out your rows about 50-60cm apart, Scratch a furrow in the soil and run some fertiliser in the furrow - I use Bunnings rooster booster. Have the soil wet before starting, after planting give another watering. Don't water again for 3-4 days. Too wet seeds will rot. When plants are 45cm high run some more fert down each side of the plants and hill the soil up around the stalk. Corn pollinates for 5 days and you pick it approx 21 days later. I just picked 28 cobs last week. S
Showing 41 - 50 of 411 comments

Thank You. This information is much appreciated.

- Wendy Wong

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