How to Grow Sweet Corn

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 30 cm (12 in) between plants.
• Sowing: sow about 3 cm deep.
• Water: roughly 10 L 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 also: Sweet Corn in the plant library →

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