Vegetable growing guide
Sweet corn
Zea mays
Sun
Full sun
Season
Warm
Maturity
60 to 90 days
Water
High
Soil pH
5.8 to 7.0
Spacing
8 to 12 in
Planting sweet corn
Sow directly after the last frost when soil reaches about 60 F. Plant in blocks of at least 4 short rows so wind spreads pollen evenly between plants.
Planting details
- Blocks beat single long rows for full ears
- Spacing: 8 to 12 inches in the row
- Seed depth: 1 to 2 inches
Growing requirements
Corn needs full sun, fertile soil, and steady water through tasseling and ear fill. It is a heavy feeder; side-dress with nitrogen when plants knee-high.
Harvesting and care
Check ears when silks brown and dry: pierce a kernel and look for milky juice. Pick in the cool morning and eat or chill quickly, since sugars convert to starch fast.
Common mistakes
- Planting one long row, which produces ears missing many kernels
- Underwatering at tassel and silk time, which stunts ears
- Letting ears stay on too long, which turns kernels starchy
Companion plants
The classic three sisters pattern pairs corn with beans and squash. Give the block its own sunny space rather than shading beds beside it.