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How to Grow Sweet Corn
Purchased corn, whether on the cob or in
a can can’t compare for taste! Sweet
corn is easy to grow in the flower and
fruit gardening guides home garden with
just a little know how and a few corn
facts.
Corn needs warm soil temperatures (50° -
65° Fahrenheit) to germinate. Warm
temperatures cause sugars in corn to turn
into starches and results in loss of
sweetness and creamy texture. Sugars also
begin converting to starches immediately
after harvest.
Sweet corn is divided into three types
according to its sweetness: (SU) normal
sugary or standard sweet corn, (SE)
sugary enhanced, and (Sh2) super sweet.
Standard Sweet Corn (SU)
Normal sugary is the traditional variety
of sweet corn. Less sweet than the other
types, it will tolerate low temperatures
at planting time.
Sugary Enhanced (SE)
(SE) corn is the preferred choice of many
of today’s flower and fruit
gardening guides home gardeners. Sugary
enhanced is sweeter than standard corn
and retains sweetness longer than either
of the other types. While not as sweet as
super sweet, it has a creamier texture
and tolerates lower soil temperatures.
Super Sweet
Super sweet (Sh2) kernels differ from the
other two types of sweet corn by their
shriveled, small appearance. Although the
sweetest of the three, (Sh2) needs a soil
temperature of at least 65° F to
germinate. Another drawback of (Sh2) is
that its texture is drier and its sugars
more rapidly convert to starch after
harvest.
Sow your seed in a very rich garden soil
and give it access to ample moisture.
Because corn is a high-nitrogen feeder,
even the best soils may need to the
addition of aged manure or nutrient rich
compost to produce an optimum crop.
Plant corn in two or more rows for
pollination to be successful. Plant
kernels in hills of three, spaced about a
foot a part with rows three feet apart.
Plant kernels from one to 1 ½ inches
deep or ¾ inch deep for super sweet
types. After germination, preserve the
most robust plant in each hill,
discarding any other seedlings that have
sprouted.
Water rows well after planting,
especially in the case of super sweet
kernels, which need to absorb more water
to germinate. Keep plants well watered
throughout the growing season. Corn needs
moisture in order to form tassels and
silk and to develop healthy ears.
Cultivate frequently to control weeds,
but shallowly so as not to damage stalks
or roots.
Corn is ready to harvest when silk
becomes dry at the ends, ears feel full,
and a thumbnail puncture produces a
milky-white substance. The sap from under
ripe corn will appear watery. Each stalk
should produce one large ear of corn.
Many varieties also develop a second,
smaller ear. Generally, from the time the
silk is visible to harvest is about 20
days.
Watch your crop closely after the first
silks appear. This is the “milk
stage” which lasts for only about a
week. The best corn is always the
freshest corn! Grill it, steam it, roast
it, microwave it --- enjoy it!
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