When To Harvest Corn For Perfect Ears - Epic Gardening

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A delicious summer staple, corn is the backbone of much of what we eat in the United States. Whether enjoyed as fresh sweet corn or dried for cornbread or tortillas, this versatile plant plays a major role in our diets.

Corn is actually a grass. When it first germinates in the garden, it emerges from the soil with a single blade that closely resembles grass. As it grows, additional leaves form and the plant pushes upward, eventually developing nodes and producing ears of corn. Getting the timing right for harvesting corn requires a bit of planning.

This crop goes from seed to ear in under 100 days. A common saying among gardeners is ‘knee high by the fourth of July’. This means corn planted earlier in the season should germinate and reach roughly 12 to 18 inches in height by early July. While this guideline is not a strict rule, it is helpful to check the average first frost date in your region and count backward to determine your ideal planting time.

Knowing exactly when to harvest corn can be tricky. With kernels hidden beneath the husk, it can be difficult to tell when corn is ready to pick and enjoy at peak sweetness. Follow these guidelines to learn how!

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How To Identify If Corn is Ready to Harvest

For growers who plant corn in early to late spring, harvest typically occurs in mid to late summer. Corn takes anywhere from 70 to 100 days to grow from seed, depending on the variety. Once the risk of frost has passed and daily temperatures reach around 65°F (18°C), you can begin planting corn kernels.

To judge when corn is ready to harvest, pay close attention to its growth habits. A single corn plant produces several ears, with the most mature ear forming at the top of the stalk. Corn cobs begin small and gradually swell in size over the following weeks.

Watch for the long, semi-transparent white threads known as silks emerging from the tip of each ear and moving in the breeze. When corn is planted closely enough, these silks are pollinated by pollen from the tassels at the tops of the stalks. Each silk corresponds to a kernel, which will fill out as pollination is completed.

Avoid harvesting corn too early. If the top ear on the plant is not ready, the lower ears will not be ready either. Allow the corn to fully mature to achieve the best flavor and texture.

Signs of Ripeness

Once the ears begin to plump up, watch the color of the silks. You’ll need to wait until they turn brown before harvesting. When this happens, test for readiness by gently pulling back some of the husk and pressing your fingernail into a kernel. The husks protect the developing kernels and can be a little tough to peel back, but a firm tug will loosen them.

If the kernel releases a milky, starch-like liquid, the corn is ready to harvest. If the liquid is thin and watery, it needs more time. One of the most satisfying moments in gardening is picking an ear of fresh corn straight off the plant.

Some corn cobs may not fully plump up. These usually have a few rows of kernels near the tip that never filled out completely. These ears are still harvestable and edible. This issue is caused by under-pollination and cannot be corrected once it occurs.

For hard or dry corn varieties, wait to harvest until the husks have turned yellow-brown and the plants appear nearly dead. At this stage, harvest the entire crop at once and process the ears promptly. It is essential that the kernels are fully dry, as harvesting too early can lead to reduced quality and spoilage.

How To Harvest Corn

Harvesting corn is one of the easiest and most satisfying tasks in the garden. Once sweet corn is ready, simply grasp the ear and bend it downward and away from the stalk. It should snap off cleanly. Take care not to damage the stalk, as there may be additional ears ready to harvest in about one week. After harvesting a few ears, the process quickly becomes second nature.

If you’re growing hard corn varieties such as popcorn, leave the ears on the plants to dry for four to six weeks after the green color disappears from the husks. This waiting period can test a gardener’s patience, but it results in healthier, fuller kernels.

Once hard corn has fully dried, remove the darkened husks and use your thumb to push the hardened kernels off the cob. With some corn varieties, rubbing two cobs together can help speed up the process.

How To Store Corn

Corn quickly loses its sugars once it has been picked. For this reason, try to eat or process it as soon as possible after harvest. If you can’t use it right away, store corn unwashed in the refrigerator for a few days.

If you’re growing corn to preserve and enjoy throughout the year, blanch the cobs shortly after picking. Add shucked ears to a pot of boiling water and remove them after four minutes of processing. Immediately transfer the corn to ice water to stop the cooking process, then cut the kernels off the cob with a knife. At this stage, the kernels can be frozen or canned.

If you plan to dry corn, wait until the husks are fully dry and papery and the kernels are hard to the touch. Pick an ear and test whether the kernels pop off easily. Dried corn is best stored as loose kernels in glass jars or sealed containers. Dry canning is an effective method for preserving freshness. Keep in mind that dried corn is susceptible to insect damage, so proper storage is essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times can you harvest corn in a year?

In most areas of the US, you can only harvest corn once in the season if your corn is planted all at once. However, if you plant succession crops, starting fresh seeds every week or every few weeks, you can get several harvests in a single year depending on your climate.

Does corn grow back after you pick it?

No. A stalk of corn will put out just a few corn ears. Picking it will not encourage any further ear production.