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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14 Aug 16, Chrostopher White (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Yvonne, I am inQld Childers and have grown corn that lasted us a year. The temp here is spring 15-18 min to max 27- 30. Your seed should be viable, worth a go, good luck
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16 Jul 16, Rob (Australia - temperate climate)
Greg, I'm at Albion Park NSW 2527. Can you better explain the 3 sisters method of growing corn and beans? When you say, '2mx2mm squares', how many corn plants and bean plants should I put in per plot? Also, distance apart, etc. Do I plant the corn and beans at the same time? Would it work with corn and snow peas as well? The more detailed your response, the better..... Thanks for your help, Rob.
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20 Jul 16, Chris (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Plant the corn first, as suggested on the packet, in a grid pattern, so the top flower head will fertilize the corn which grows on the side of the stalk.when the corn is about 20 - 30 cms high, plant climbing beans between the corn, and train them with a twig to grow up a corn stalk. Once the beans are up plant a small vining pumpkin, like butternut,so it doesnt keep growing outside of the area. This keeps the soil covered and cool for the corn and beans. Water by putting it down between the leaves, to keep powdery mildew at bay.A handful of dry chicken manure spread around the corn and beans will help as the corn is maturing. Pick beans carefully, and help pumpkins by fertilizing female flowers with males, due to the lack of bees. Good luck
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30 Jul 16, Rod (Australia - temperate climate)
I am about to plant my corn using the three sisters format do a google on three sisters garden , a good read after reading this entire post here , not the three sisters site I think I may wait till the warmer weather soil temperature is about 9 degrees in the morning and 12 degrees midday in Sydney
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20 May 16, Jennifer (Australia - tropical climate)
Once I've picked the cobs is the rest of the plant a write off... ie. Dig it out?
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25 May 16, Bob Dobbs (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Yes
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23 May 16, David (Australia - arid climate)
No why not use them as a support to grow some climber like sweet peas, beans, once these have finished then dig them out.
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07 May 16, Rosemary (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Phoebe. If you plant corn outside now it might germinate if you are lucky, but it won't grow much because it is too cold. Best time to plant it is in spring or early summer. You might like to try peas or broad beans for this time of the year. Both are easy to germinate and grow. If you are looking for a grassy type of plant to grow, try wheat or barley. Good luck.
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02 May 16, Phoebe (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi, I live in adelaide and I am planning to plant corn as part of my school project however I was wondering whether it could be planted in May eventhough its not a best season for it. Will it still germinate and grow?
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25 Mar 16, Greg (the buck) (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Grow your corn in 2mx2m squares. Plant squash & beans with them, it's an old method called the 3 sisters. Each plant gives good energy to the other. Try it. You will be blown away by the quality of your veg.
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Perth: This impressive crop does take up a bit of room but it's well worth it; the sweetness of fresh picked home-grown sweet corn is hard to beat. Plant from September through to January. Preparing the site Choose a sunny site that’s protected from strong winds. Sweet corn is a hungry crop so it’s important to enrich your soil before planting. Add a plenty of aged manure and a handful of blood & bone per square metre and fork it in well. Sweet corn will do well in a bed that’s previously grown healthy peas or beans. In the right conditions, each plant will usually produce 2 ears of corn. Planting Plant seedlings or seeds (ensure seeds are fresh). Space 30cm apart and plant in blocks rather than a single long row. Planting in blocks assists pollination which is essential for the development of kernels. Plant early and late varieties in separate blocks for a longer season. Water seeds well after planting then sparingly until germination occurs as the seeds can rot easily. When the stalks are about 20cm high, mound the soil up against the stalks. This process, called hilling, encourages more roots to grow which will help stabilise the plant during windy conditions. You can also achieve the same result by planting the seeds in a furrow and backfilling as the plants grow. Watering and fertilising Once the plants are well underway it’s important to ensure an adequate moisture level, especially since the plants will be at their peak of fruit production over the hot months. Drip irrigate if possible and mulch well to retain moisture. As soon as the tassel appears at the top of the plant, give the soil a boost with a granular fertiliser that’s high in nitrogen. Insufficient pollination results in ears of corn with lots of missing kernels. Planting sweet corn in one long single row can result in most of the pollen being blown away, which is why gardeners plant corn in blocks instead.Can be hand pollinated by cutting off a pollen-laden tassel each day and gently brushing over the silks . Sweet corn is ready to pick 2-3 weeks after pollination and it's important to keep up the water during this time.

- Mike

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