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

09 Jan 10, Dez of Queensland (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have planted two lots of sweet corn, both from the same seedling batch, Five where planted in my Aquaponic system, and three where planted in wicking garden system. The Corn in the aquaponic system is a far greener (Quite dark) and stronger plant, with two heads of corn on each stem, where as the corn in the wicking system, has only one corn head per plant and not as strong. Photos can be emailed on request: [email protected]
16 Jan 10, ron (Australia - temperate climate)
plant corn close together to promote cross pollination
17 Jan 10, beth (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my sweet corn in late November and it is currently about 1.5 metres high. I only had a minimal ammount of seeds so i planted them in a pot. I only have 1 stalk in the pot. Will it still be possible for my sweet corn to germinate and grow corn cobs because I only have the one stalk? If so how much corn can I expect to get from one stalk?
19 Jan 10, Jenny (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I have 5 corn stalks growing in which i have taken corn of each stalk. The corn is very nice to eat sweet as. Can someone please advise me once i have taken corn of the stalks does the corn continue to grow or do you only get that one lot, please advise as i would like to start pulling my corn out and growing something else that is in season if the corn will not continue to produce. Thanks heaps.
22 Jan 10, Chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Jenny, My experience has been one decent crop from a stalk however you may get side shoots that produce a weaker crop. Personally, i would look to pulling them out and preparing the soil for the next crop in the rotation
27 Jan 10, Evelyn (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi, I tried Digger's Club Golden Bantam corn this year and planted closer together than instructed in a raised metal bed. They did really well with good organic soil, compost and a bit of blood and bone and another biodynamic preparation (Kickalong fertilizer). Really healthy and the corn tasted fine. Not as nice as the sweeter corn varieties, a bit more starchy but still really good fresh from the garden.
01 Feb 10, Ray Whitton (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have grown my sweet corn fairly close together and thought I had done everything properly. Once again though I find that the kernels are well under developed....they are usually white and very, very small. I harvest them when the silk browns off as seems to be the rule but even then. I also have found that even watering every second day as we are only permitted in Canberra the leaves are still dying off. In fact the ones at the back of the crop nearest the galvanised iron fence are completely dead - anything to do with radiated heat? Thanks for comments.
04 Feb 10, Richy (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
how long does it take to grow sweet corn?
08 Feb 10, Leigh Geil (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
first time growing corn for me. Doing well but now I have heard that it's better to remove side shoots leaving only one main stalk? 4-5 cobs on each plant but plants are only 60cms high.
11 Feb 10, Jason (Australia - temperate climate)
Just seeking opinions on whether my current run of corn is 'normal'. Planted Sun & Snow corn the week before Christmas and it has gone completely nuts. The block seems to have topped out at 2.3mtrs in full tassel... but I have 3 to 4 extra tillers on each plant and they are producing tassels and silks completely independent to the centre stalk. 7 of them even have side tassels at the 2mtr marker. The cobs that are forming are averaging just over 20cm in length and between 6-7cm in width. I'm only new to growing and was completely wrapped when they took off. Is this a standard result or something alittle more special?
Showing 51 - 60 of 413 comments

In Adelaide, around the inner suburbs, corn can be started as early as late june, if you put a frame around the seedlings and cover most of it with glad wrap, (put one inch holes around the bottom).

- drew

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