Sweet corn is an annual, starchy vegetable, warm season crop. named so because the kernels are juicy and sweet and high in sugar compared to other varieties. Sweet corn has other names like sugar corn or pole corn. One of six types of corn: dent, flint, pod, popcorn, and flour. Sweet Corn is a self-pollinator. Native to the Americas and its cultivation dates to about 8,000 years ago in Central America. The first variety of commercial sweet corn was recorded in 1779. Selective breeding from the teosinte grass, which has small grains. Later became corn in its many forms today. There is also a Super sweet corn that was invented in the 50s by the University of Illinois by Professor John Laughnan. Sweet corn can be grown easily in 5-gallon containers, or in blocks in a back yard.
Plant and go
Botanical Name: Zea Mays
| Depth: 1-2" | Spacing: 8-12" | Row: 2-3' | Temp: 65-85F |
| Germ: 7-10 days | Sun: Full/ 6-8 hrs | pH: 5.8-7.0 | Harvest: 60-100 days |
| Soil: well drained | Container: 12x12" | Fertilizer: 10-10-10 | Fert Freq: every 3 months |
| Water: 1-2in per wk. |
Companion plant: Beans
Details
Sow seeds in spring after all frost has past 1-2 inches, in bunches of 2-3 seeds. Space 2-3 inches apart, with row 2
-3 feet apart. Recommended soil temperature is 60F and above, 65-85F is the range this plant enjoys. If you plant to transplant sow seeds indoors 2-3 weeks before last frost, transplant one all frost has passed. Germination takes from 7-10 days, depending on soil and temperature. Pick a spot that gets full sun for 6-8 hours a day and has at least a over-head space of 6-8 feet. Once seedlings get to 2-4 inches, thin seedlings to 8-12 inches apart by cutting at soil level, it’s not recommended to pull seedlings out. Note sweet corn like other varieties uses a lot of water and nutrients. Soil should be well drained and moist by not soggy; water as needed goal is 1-2 inches per week. If growing in a container, make sure to have plenty of drain holes. Fertilizer with a 10-10-10 formula three times during growing season. Before sowing, at 4 weeks, last at 8-10 weeks. Sweet corn is self-pollinating, typically by wind. Something to remember if you’re growing in the yard, planting in blocks and not a single row, this will improve the chances of pollination. If you grow one or two hand pollination is probably the best way to go. To had pollinate wait until the silk emerges and remove the top or tassel and wipe it on the silk or ear of the corn. During wind pollination the tassel on top drops pollen on to the silks, female flower later produci
ng fruit. The more silks the more kernels on the cob, one silk equals one kernel. male female flowers. Once pollination is done there isn’t much more to do but water, fertilize and wait for harvest.
ng fruit. The more silks the more kernels on the cob, one silk equals one kernel. male female flowers. Once pollination is done there isn’t much more to do but water, fertilize and wait for harvest. Harvest
Now its time to harvest! You’ll know when the time is right when the tassels turn dark brown, this is usually 6 weeks after the tassel appears. To harvest pull down on the ear while twisting, you want the ear to break off at the stalk, you can expect 1 to 2 ears per stalk. Once you have harvested the ears there the stalk doesn’t have much more use. Some folks leave the stalks, others rotor root them out in preparation for the next season.
Tip
It is very easy to grow sweet corn in a 5-gallon bucket, 1 plant per bucket. Companion growing always has benefits to crop production pest control. Pole beans are a great choice as they add a little nitrogen to the soil and use the stalk to climb, not need to trellis. Also try basil, it helps to attract pollinators and repel pests.
Fun fact
In to 2019 Gideon Oji ate 57 ears of corn in 12 minutes at the National Sweet Corning Eating Championship.
Conclusion
Sweet corn is easy to grow and is a great addition to any garden be it backyard or container. If space is an issue, they are great for companion growing. The three-sister method has been used for centuries time to grow corn, beans and squash together. This wonderful plant has a lot of varieties and usually grown by those who have the space, but don’t let that stop you. Grab a 5-gallon bucket and give it a go.