Sweet corn(Zea mays)is a fast grower, developing tall stalks with bright green leaves.
One corn plant usually produces one or two ears in the home garden.
you might choose varieties with yellow, white, bicolored (yellow and white), oreven rainbow kernels.
Credit:Bob Stefko
Heres everything you better know about how to plant and grow corn in your garden.
Keep in mind that the tall stalks cast shade over shorter crops.
Avoid windy sites; strong winds can cause the tall stalks to fall over.
Credit:Dana Gallagher
Sow the seed directly in the garden; corn doesnt transplant well.
Plant the seeds 1 inch deep and space them 6 to 12 inches apart in the row.
Plant blocks of four or more short rows spaced 30 inches apart for better pollination.
Credit: Janet Mesic-Mackie
Sweet Corn Care Tips
Light
Sweet corn requires lots of sun.
A minimum of six hours of full sun is necessary to develop full, plump kernels.
Soil and Water
Sweet corn thrives in rich,well-drained soilwith a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Credit:Peter Krumhardt
It requires an inch of water per week, so supplement with irrigation when rainfall is inadequate.
Temperature and Humidity
Sweet corn thrives when temperatures are consistently warm.
Humidity (high or low) is not usually a problem with sweet corn.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Fertilizer
Sweet corn is a heavy feeder, requiring lots of nutrients to fuel its fast growth.
Even rich soilamended with compostneeds additional fertilizer to perform well.
Work well-rotted manure or compost into the soil along witha balanced fertilizerbefore planting.
Pests and Problems
A few pests can create problems for corn growers.
Allow some space for growth, and remove the cover after three or four weeks.
Two generations of European corn borers feed on silks and ears each year.
Since it overwinters in the corn stalks, remove old stalks from the garden after harvest.
Turning the soil in the fall helps prevent infestation the following year.
Parasitic wasps help control both the borer and the earworm, and they don’t sting or bite humans.
Attract parasitic wasps by planting flowering plants nearby, or buy them online or at some garden centers.
Serious diseases are not common with sweet corn.
However, a fungal disease known as smut occasionally infects ears and leaves, causing gray-black galls to form.
Remove these if you see them to prevent them from spreading.
Resistant corn varieties are available.
Test a kernel for ripeness by puncturing it with your fingernail.
The juice should be milky-looking, not clear.
If its clear, wait another few days to harvest the ear.
Theres nothing like fresh-picked corn that you drop into a pot of boiling water within minutes of harvesting.
It has outstanding flavor.
The stalks grow to 7 to 7 12 feet tall.
Its white kernels are tender and sweet on 8-inch ears.
The stalks grow to 7 feet.
Nirvana
Zea maysNirvana is a high-yielding variety with supersweet bicolored kernels.
The beans climb the cornstalks and supply nitrogen to the soil through a process called nitrogen fixation.
The large leaves of squash shade the soil, reducing water evaporation.
This combination is an early example ofcompanion planting.
Green beans are among the easiest vegetables to grow at home.
Summer Squash
Summer squashis another warm-weather crop that is best planted after balmy spring weather arrives.
It requires fertile, well-draining soil to thrive.
The squash leaves suppress weeds that would otherwise grow around nearby plants.
Marigolds
Peter Krumhardt
Marigoldsrepel an assortment of garden pests, including corn earworms andaphids.
They also attract beneficial insects that prey on corn pests.
Several types and sizes of marigolds are available.
These plants are heat-lovers, but they bloom to frost whenthey are kept deadheaded.
Nasturtiums
Like marigolds,nasturtiumsprovide natural pest control.
Nasturtiums keep the populations of aphids, whiteflies, andflea beetlesin check, and they attract beneficial insects.
This striking edible plant also adds a pretty splash of color.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but select a dwarf variety and a large container.
Popcorn and sweet corn are different types of corn.
The kernels pop when heated because the moisture inside the hard outer kernel expands, causing it to explode.
They have an earthy flavor similar to mushrooms and are used as fillings for quesadillas and tamales.
