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How to Grow Sweet Corn

mediumGardening6-8 weeks to maturity (early varieties)10 steps

Safety Warnings

  • Wear gloves when planting insecticide-treated seed.

Tools Needed

Garden gloves — Protective
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Materials

Sweet corn seeds — Early, midseason, or late hybrids(As needed)
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Nitrogen fertilizer — Sidedressing(As needed)
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Mulch — Organic material for moisture retention(As needed)
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Steps

1
Prepare the soil, ensuring it is sufficiently warm before planting to avoid fungus attacks and weakness.
Tip: Heavy clay soils are suitable for corn if the soil is deep.
2
Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 30 to 36 inches apart.
Tip: Increase seeding rates if soils are cold or using untreated seed.
3
Implement successional planting by sowing early hybrids first, followed by mid- and late-season hybrids at two-to-three week intervals.
Tip: Planting early can help avoid corn earworm.
4
Thin seedlings to 8- to 12-inch spacings once plants reach 3 to 4 inches in height.
Tip: Perform thinning on a cloudy day when soil is moist.
5
Water early in the day to ensure foliage dries quickly and avoid wetting the leaves to prevent rust.
Tip: Do not overwater, as this can encourage seedcorn maggots.
6
Hill soil around the base of plants as they grow to bury weeds and provide better stability.
Tip: Cultivate carefully around the base as roots are close to the surface.
7
Apply nitrogen-rich fertilizer as sidedressings to support heavy feeding requirements.
Tip: Pale green leaves indicate nitrogen deficiency; purple-tinged leaves indicate phosphorus deficiency.
8
Apply mulch after the soil has warmed to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
Tip: Do not remove suckers (side sprouts), as this may reduce yields.
9
Monitor for pests like cutworms and crows; consider scattering yellow corn on field edges to attract crows that eat cutworms.
Tip: Avoid heavy manure or organic matter that attracts seedcorn maggots.
10
Harvest ears when they reach maturity; for baby corn, harvest as silks emerge.
Tip: Harvest immediately before use for best flavor; 'the pot should be boiling before the ears are picked'.

Pro Tips

  • Space plants properly to allow air circulation and reduce disease risk.
  • Burn all traces of smut on corn stalks to prevent further spread.

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Sources

Synthesized from 4 verified sources:

Cornell ExtensionView →
Gutenberg: Manual of GardeningView →
Gutenberg: War Gardens GuideView →
Gutenberg: Farm Gardening GuideView →