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 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches 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

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10 Jan 17, james (Australia - temperate climate)
How can you freeze sweetcorn if you grow a lot of them, instead of just giving it all away?
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16 Jan 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I also just trim each end and freeze it, leaving the husks on the cobs before i bag them.
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13 Jan 17, FRANK (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
James, I love sweetcorn and grow heaps.Used to blanch it and vacumn seal then freeze for up to 12 months, now I just freeze. Still beautiful and sweet and lasts all year.
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04 Jan 17, Phil (Australia - temperate climate)
A more general question regarding crop rotation... I chose corn because I've seen several such discussions on this board. When you plant in rotation 'following' another crop... from where does the benefit come? Must I compost any leftover foliage of the previous crop and dig it back in to gain benefit? Or is there some other reason?
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09 Dec 16, Raychelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, My corn only got to about 1 meter tall.. Any suggestions on why?
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10 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Did the plants have normal sized cobs? Some varieties of corn are shorter growing. Short stalks can also indicate stress such as lack of water or nutrients, corn needs plenty of both. Sometimes store bought seedlings that may have been stressed in their punnets will do this. Trust this helps.
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11 Dec 16, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in the temperate zone (Bundaberg Qld area) I grow corn from March through to Oct- Nov. The corn grown through autumn and winter grows the highest (cool time of year) but the corn in the spring doesn't grow as high -- two reasons I feel. 1. it is getting hotter and goes to seed quicker and 2. the soil isn't as fertile. I dig all my plant residue and lawn clippings into the soil Oct - Jan --- so when I start planting in March I have very good friable fertile soil. Plenty of fertilizer and water should produce a good crop.
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07 Dec 16, ben peter rooney (Australia - temperate climate)
when to plant them in december
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09 Dec 16, John (Australia - temperate climate)
It ìs very late to consider planting sweet corn. If you are in a warmer area you may still produce usable cobs. You could give it a go and if there is not enough season left you could make baby cobs for stir fries and use the stalks for a crop of climbing peas or mulch. If you live in an area that the winter comes later you might still make it. Trust this helps.
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29 Nov 16, Topher Varnish (Australia - temperate climate)
My corn are doing very well and currently at about 50cm, nice deep green. They have started new stalk shoots coming from the bases. Should I cut them off or leave them? thanks & regards, Topher
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