GrassesPoaceae

Sweet Corn.

Warm seasonDeer favorite
At a glance

The spec sheet.

Direct sow / out
May 15 – Jul 1
Germ
7–10 days
Days to harvest
65–95
Spacing
12", rows 24" in BLOCKS
Depth
1½"
Square-foot
1 per square in a min 4×4 block
Qty target
50 plants for eating fresh, freezing, and sharing.

Plant

Must plant in blocks (not single rows) for pollination — 4×4 minimum. Block-planted corn pollinates ear-fully.

Care

Heavy feeder — side-dress with compost or fish emulsion twice. Watch for corn earworm; a drop of vegetable oil in each silk deters them.

Harvest

Silks brown, kernels squirt milky when punctured. Sugar converts to starch within HOURS — pick and cook.

Preserve

Blanched & frozen on/off cob. Pressure-canned kernels. Corn relish.

Companion planting

What sweet corn likes, and doesn’t.

Good neighbors

Avoid nearby

  • Tomatoes (same earworm)
  • Celery