(Last Updated On: December 23, 2023)
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Sweet corn is one of the most delicious and rewarding crops you can grow in your front yard. Nothing beats the taste of fresh, juicy corn on the cob that you harvested from your own garden. Plus, growing sweet corn is not as difficult as you might think, as long as you follow some simple steps and tips.
In this article, you will learn how to grow sweet corn in your front yard, from choosing the right variety and planting the seeds, to caring for and harvesting the ears. You will also learn some benefits and challenges of growing sweet corn, and some common questions and answers about this crop.
Benefits of Growing Sweet Corn
Growing sweet corn at home has many benefits:
– You can enjoy fresh, organic, and nutritious corn that is far superior to the store-bought ones.
– Save money on buying corn and reduce your environmental impact by growing your own food.
– Attract beneficial insects and birds to your garden with the corn flowers and seeds.
– You can also use the corn stalks and husks for mulching, composting, or crafting.
Challenges of Growing Sweet Corn
Growing sweet corn at home also has some challenges:
– You need a large enough space for planting corn in blocks, as corn is wind-pollinated and needs other plants nearby to produce ears.
– You need a sunny and wind-protected spot for growing corn, as corn is sensitive to frost, drought, and strong winds.
– You need to water and fertilize your corn regularly, as corn is a heavy feeder and needs plenty of water and nutrients to grow well.
– You need to protect your corn from pests and diseases, such as raccoons, squirrels, birds, worms, aphids, rusts, smuts, and blights.
How to Grow Sweet Corn at Home
Now that you know some benefits and challenges of growing sweet corn at home let’s get started with the steps and tips on how to grow this crop successfully.
Step 1: Choose the Right Variety
There are many varieties of sweet corn available, but not all of them are suitable for growing at your residence. There are some factors to consider when choosing a variety.
The maturity time: Depending on your climate and growing season, you may want to choose an early-, mid-, or late-season variety. Early-season varieties mature in 60 to 70 days, mid-season varieties mature in 70 to 80 days, and late-season varieties mature in 80 to 90 days after planting.
The sweetness level: Depending on your taste preference, you may want to choose a standard-, sugar-enhanced-, or super-sweet variety. Standard varieties have a traditional corn flavor but lose their sweetness quickly after harvest. Sugar-enhanced varieties have more sugar content and retain their sweetness longer. Super-sweet varieties have the highest sugar content and longest shelf life but may lack some flavor.
The color: Depending on your aesthetic preference, you may want to choose a yellow, white, or bicolor variety. Yellow varieties have golden kernels that are rich in vitamin A. White varieties have creamy kernels that are tender and mild. Bicolor varieties have both yellow and white kernels that are attractive and flavorful.
Some Examples of Popular Sweet Corn Varieties
Peaches & Cream is by far the most popular sweet corn in the world. It is a hybrid seed for big yields, and it hails from the corn captial on the planet, Iowa. Plant in rows 30 inhces apart, seed spaced 6 inches apart. 75 Days to harvest. Easy to Grow.
Golden Bantam Sweet Corn from The Old Farmer’s Almanac, grows well in warmer temperatures from 75-90F. Also made in the USA, each ear is filled with plump, juicy, bright yellow kernels that taste sweet and delicious on the plate. Plant 2-3 seeds 1-2 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart in loose, organically rich, well-drained soil. Thin to 1 plant every 12-18 inches once true leaves establish. Water soil regularly and directly. Avoid overhead watering which can damage the stalks. Harvest ripe ears by pulling firmly downwards and off the stalk while twisting. These are Heirloom, so if you are a seed savor, you can use them year after year and expect to get the same exact product.
Ambrosia Sweet Corn from Burpee is a white and yellow Checkered sugar-enhanced Sweet corn. Ambrosia’ Isn’t just a name, it’s the perfect description for this white and yellow bicolor sugar-enhanced sweet corn variety. The 8″ long ears are filled with plump, tender, sweet corn kernels ready for summer cookouts. Sow outdoors 4 weeks after the average last frost date and harvest in 75 days. Plant spread is 12″. Corn stalks grow 6′-7′ tall and are a popular choice for the home vegetable garden.Sow corn seeds outdoors in full sun 4 weeks after the average last frost date in your area. Harvest corn cobs 75 days from sowing! Annual for all growing zones from 1-11. Sunlight exposure = full-sun.
Step 2: Plant the Seeds
The best time to plant sweet corn seeds is two weeks after the last frost date in your area¹. The soil temperature should be at least 50°F (10°C), but preferably 60°F (15°C) or higher.
