Growing Sweet Corn (corn,maize) In USA - Zone 6b Climate

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Zea mays, var. rugosa : Poaceae / the grass family

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
P	P

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in USA - Zone 6b regions)

• P = Sow seed

• Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
• Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
• Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
• Compatible with (can grow beside): All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
• Avoid growing close to: Celery.

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Plant in 4 by 4 blocks to encourage germination Pick when the silky threads on the cobs turn brown or black. Part the top of the leaves and test for ripeness by pressing a grain with your fingernail. If it is milky, it is ready.

Early varieties ripen quickly and are sweeter when just picked.

Avoid planting coloured maize ( for drying) near sweetcorn as they will cross-pollinate and spoil the cobs on both.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Sweet corn

Pick and cook within an hour. Remove the silks and outer leaves. Best flavour if microwave about 4 minutes per cob. Can be barbequed wrapped in foil Cook large amounts in a stock pot until test soft. Sprinkle with black pepper and dip in butter.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries 27 Oct 25, Dan (Australia - temperate climate) My first time growing corn. I have a block of 16 plants (4x4) as instructed. Do I need to be aware of potential pests? If so, what precautions should I take? Thanks in advance for your advice. Reply or Post a new comment 02 Jan 26, (Australia - sub-tropical climate) Check the top of the cob for beetles and grubs when nearing maturity. Reply or Post a new comment 11 Mar 25, Chris (USA - Zone 7b climate) Planting / soil temp date? Varieties ( grew up in nw iowa with whatever pioneer seed offered.)? Reply or Post a new comment 19 Mar 25, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate) I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers. Reply or Post a new comment 19 Mar 25, Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 8a Mild Temperate climate) I understand your remark. - however you need to take into account that Pioneer (an excellent source for seeds) is located in Johnston, Iowa - and if I'm not mistaken has always been there- so yes they will know which seeds to sell you- that's real Expert advice. Additionally if you buy at your local co-op they probably stock only seeds that grow well in the area. They'll even tell you when and how to plant,care for, and harvest your crop. In other words they are making the variety, soil temp decisions for you. -and saying plant this, at such and such a time. I live in an area where the conditions change in less than 10km. - Vancouver Island - soil temps, wind chill can vary a lot so understanding this stuff can make the difference between a lush garden and a half dead garden. Planting, say, tomatoes outdoors can be delayed by 6 weeks if your getting a lot of night time wind chill (near the ocean or at a higher elevation). Your inland, flat, and have very uniform growing conditions, Your also in the corn discussion- which the breadbasket states (of which your state is one of) having been growing corn for longer then I can even guess at (250 years- and the Native American Indians before that)- even in Canada I know some of your sayings 'knee high by the 4th of July' which I'm guessing every breadbasket school child knows- so yes I Imagine you know when to plant corn. There are people who live in microclimates -and they may not have access to consultants (like your local co-op) that give information freely. So yes, they need to understand soil temps. Etc. Aditionally, person might want to grow a variety of something that is different (mail order) from what their local garden center has decided to sell. In which case they either investigate before they buy, or buy, plant and cross their fingers. Reply or Post a new comment 19 Feb 25, Pamela White (USA - Zone 8a climate) Any tips for insect control or fertilizing corn? Reply or Post a new comment 03 Mar 25, Faith Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate) Corn needs BORON -- similar to sunflowers. Water once with the following: 4 liters (1 gal.) of water mixed with 2.5 mL (1⁄2 tsp.) of borax. This is your typical laundry borax - I use MULE Borax (The only ingredient in Borax is a naturally occurring mineral called sodium tetraborate. It's free of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals.-- this is a salt - so only apply once or twice in a year). IF POSSIBLE - and this is not always possible -- plant a few teosintes plants nearby -- these are WILD corn and for some reason domesticated corn grows much better with a few teosintes around (there can be 3 teosintes for an acre of corn). The teosintes are know as corn coaches/grandparents and corn is much more productive when there grandparents are present -- yes this sounds folklore like -- but it has been proven - and does seem to work really well. Also corn benefits from rich soil/compost and lots of nitrogen to help them grow, followed by more potassium once they get to the stage when they are developing cobs. ‘Sweetcorn is a grass and so it loves nitrogen, especially in the early stages. However, applying too much once the cobs form will promote more vegetative growth rather than ripening the cobs. Hope this helps - good luck. Reply or Post a new comment 15 Feb 25, Nancy McAlary (Australia - sub-tropical climate) I have been growing corn for several years, in small blocks in my suburban garden plot (6 to 12 stems at time). I stagger the planting to have a more continuous supply. In order to get full cobs (no gaps), corn, which is movement/wind pollinated, needs to have pollen from the top fall onto the lower cobs (with their silks showing). All I do is determine whether the pollen is ripe by tapping the top stem. They usually release pollen twice a day, in morning and then later in the day. If I see a small cloud of pollen falling, I break a few pieces of the top male flower spike and place them across the silks. If you have a big plot of corn they should self-pollinate easily and don't need this done, if you have smaller plots like me, it will always guarantee full cobs. Reply or Post a new comment 15 Mar 25, (Australia - sub-tropical climate) I read that corn pollinates for 5 days. So after about 2-3 days I wrap my hand around the bottom of the tassel and run my hand upwards. The pollen falls down onto the silks. Pick 21 days approx after pollination Reply or Post a new comment 01 Feb 25, Emeline Donoso-Brady (Australia - cool/mountain climate) The temperature here in Lithgow is from 14-26 till April, can I sow corn now? Thanks Emeline Reply or Post a new comment

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