How to Grow Sweet Corn

Updated June 2026

A warm-season fruiting for the home garden across the warmer US.

Sweet Corn is a rewarding warm-season crop for backyard growers.

When to plant

Plant Sweet Corn in spring once the soil has warmed and all frost has passed. In the warmest regions a second crop is possible in late summer. See your region on the sweet corn page for exact timing.

Varieties

Silver Queen, Classic late white sweet corn (Southern Exposure Seed Exchange)
How Sweet It Is, Super-sweet white, holds well (Burpee)

How to grow it

Sun & soil: full sun, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
Spacing: about 12 in between plants.
Sowing: sow about 1.25 in deep.
Water: roughly 2.6 gal per plant every 2 days in hot weather.

Pests & problems

Watch for Corn earworm and Heliothis. In humid regions, Rust, Smut and Northern corn leaf blight can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Sweet Corn is usually ready to harvest in about 3 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant sweet corn where you garden.

See what to plant this month

Pick your region for a month-by-month calendar tuned to your climate.

Find your region →