How to Grow Sweet Corn in Your Garden
Summary
Sweet corn prefers full sun and fertile, well-drained soil for maximum yield. Incorporate plenty of organic matter and a complete fertilizer into the area before planting. When soils are above 60ºF, space rows 24-30 inches apart and plant seeds 1 inch deep and 7-9 inches apart in the row. Plant corn in blocks to ensure good pollination and ear development.
Sweet corn may be transplanted or seeded under clear plastic for early production. Plant corn every 10-14 days for a continuous crop throughout the season. Side dress sweet corn with nitrogen fertilizer when plants have 8-10 leaves and again near silking. Corn requires regular watering, so maintain soils near field capacity.
Water stress will reduce yield and ear quality. Organic mulches help conserve water, supply extra nutrients, and reduce weed growth. Control insect and diseases if they occur. Harvest when ears are plump, silks are dry, and kernels are milky. Use ears immediately for best quality.
Recommended Sweet Corn Varieties
There are many different sweet corn varieties for the home vegetable garden. Major differences include maturity dates and sugar content. Sweet corn has a maturity range of 60 to 90 days from planting depending on variety. Early varieties produce smaller ears and are less sweet than later maturing types. Early varieties do well where the growing season is short and temperatures are cool. Late maturing varieties are better adapted to long seasons and warm temperatures. Sugar content in the kernels should also be considered. Sweet corn varieties are classified as standard sugary (su), sugary enhanced (se), or super sweet (sh2). Standard types germinate better than the se or sh2 types in cool soils. All types germinate well in warm soils. Eating quality (sweetness) may be affected when su, se and sh2 are planted together and tassel at the same time. If cross pollination occurs, the extra sweetness of the se and sh2 types is lost and they taste more like the standard types. Time your plantings so they tassel at different times. All sweet corn varieties will grow in Utah, but not all are available. Most garden centers and nurseries carry varieties proven to grow well and produce high quality, flavorful ears. Most varieties grow well in Utah.
How to Grow Sweet Corn
Soil
Sweet corn will grow in all Utah soil types that are nutrient rich, well-drained, and fertile.
Soil Preparation
Before planting, determine fertilizer needs with a soil test and then follow the recommendations given with the test report. If fertilizer applications are warranted, work the fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil. If you fertilize with compost, apply no more than 1 inch of well-composted organic matter per 100 square feet of garden area.
Plants
Sweet corn is a warm weather vegetable that requires soil and air temperatures above 60ºF for best germination and plant growth. Plant after the last frost-free date for your area. For earlier corn, some gardeners grow transplants for planting after the frost-free date. Seeds may be sown 3-4 weeks earlier if planted through or under clear plastic tunnels (see photo above).
Planting and Spacing
To plant 100 feet of row, you will need 3-4 ounces of seed. Planting in blocks of three or more rows rather than in a single long row. This improves pollination and ear production. Plant corn seeds 1 inch deep. Seeds should be spaced 7-9 inches apart in the row with 24-30 inches between rows. For high-density corn, plant in 15 by 15 inch squares. Plant the same variety or type every 10-14 days until early July for continuous production throughout the season. Corn requires 60-90 days to mature depending on variety. Planting a 65, 70, 75, and 80 day variety of the same type (su, se, or sh2) at the same time will ensure production over a longer time period. With a little planning, a continuous supply of fresh sweet corn can be produced.
Water
Sweet corn requires regular watering throughout growth for best production. Soils should be maintained near field capacity. Water needs are critical during tasseling, silking, and ear formation. Drought stress during ear development will decrease yield, lower kernel quality, and affect flavor. Watering amounts depend on soil type.
Fertilization
In addition to the fertilizer used when preparing the site, sweet corn needs additional nitrogen fertilizer to produce optimum yields. Side dress sweet corn with ½ lb. of 21-0-0 per 100 square feet when plants are near knee high (8-10 leaves) and with an additional ¼ lb. when the first tassel or silks appear. Place the fertilizer 6 inches to the side of the plants and irrigate it into the soil.
Mulches and Row Covers
Clear plastic mulches help conserve water, provide some frost protection, and allow earlier planting and maturity, but stimulate weed growth under the plastic. Fabric row covers also protect young plants from frosts. Organic mulches like grass clippings, straw, and shredded newspaper also help control weeds and reduces soil water loss.
Problems with Growing Sweet Corn
Weeds
Control weeds with regular cultivation especially when plants are small. Once sweet corn begins to grow vigorously, it will out-compete the weeds. When cultivating, avoid root damage which can slow plant growth.
Insects and Diseases
| Insect | Identification | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Green or black insects that feed on leaves, tassels and ears. Small plants become crinkled and growth is stunted when heavily infested. Honeydew makes plants and ears sticky. | Use insecticidal soaps, appropriate insecticides, or strong water stream to dislodge the insects. Aphids cause cosmetic damage to the ears. |
| Corn Earworms | Larvae feed on silks and ears of corn. Damage symptoms include holes in ear tips, loss of silks, and damp excrement near silk. | Spray with BT or other insecticides. Regular sprays are needed to protect the plants. Apply mineral oil to silks.Remove damaged part of ear at harvest. |
| Cutworms or Army Worms | Larvae feed near the soil surface and sever the plants close to the ground. Most damage done at night. | Use barriers or collars around plants. Keep organic mulches way from young plants. |
| Root Rots and Damping Off | Seedlings darken, wilt and die.Associated with cool, wet conditions in the spring. | Use treated seed. Allow soils to dry before re-watering. |
| Disease | Symptom | Control |
| Smut | White fungal galls that form on the tassel, stem, or ear. Early plant infection will stunt growth and deform ears. | Remove and destroy galls and severely infected plants. Plant resistant varieties. |
| Wilt Diseases | Wilting leaves, streaking and drying of leaves, stalk rotting, and plant lodging may occur. Plants often die. | Remove infected plants. Maintain clean garden practices. |
How to Harvest and Store Sweet Corn
Sweet corn ears mature in 17-24 days from silk emergence depending on the temperature. Ears are mature when silks are dry and brown. The husks should appear moist and green. Kernels in the tip of the ear should be plump and release milky juice when punctured. Ears can be harvested over a 5-7 day period. For best quality and flavor, harvest and use immediately. To harvest, grasp the ear, snap downward while twisting the ear. Sweet corn can be stored for several days if refrigerated. Do not husk until ready for use.
Sweet Corn Plant Productivity
Expect one ear per plant. Plant 10-15 feet of row per person for fresh use and an additional 30-40 feet of row per person for canning or freezing. Ear size and yield depends on variety grown.
Sweet Corn Nutrition Facts
Sweet corn is high in fiber, potassium, folic acid, and vitamin A. One ear contains 80 calories and 20 grams of carbohydrates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Often, when I plant corn early in the year, I have poor emergence. How can I get a better stand?
It is best not to plant too early. Wait until the soil is warm, preferably above 60ºF. Try sowing more seed and thin to the correct distance after they emerge. Fungicide seed treatments may also be helpful. The sh2 varieties do not germinate well in cold, wet soil. For early plantings, sow su types or plant through/under clear plastic.
Sometimes the ears do not fill out at the tips. What’s wrong?
Poor kernel development at the tip is often caused by: 1) hot, dry weather during silking and pollination; 2) plants growing too close together; 3) low soil fertility; and 4) poor natural pollination. Be sure to keep soils moist in dry weather; plant at recommended spacing; apply fertilizer according to soil test recommendations; and plant corn in blocks of three or more rows rather than one long row.
I regularly get lots of secondary shoot growth around the base of my plants. Are these productive or should they be removed?
Extra shoot growth (suckering) is common in sweet corn when plants are spaced too far apart in the rows. Most suckers do not produce usable ears but removal does not increase plant productivity. Plant the seeds closer together to decrease sucker formation and increase ear yield.
How can I keep raccoons out of my sweet corn?
It is hard to keep raccoons and skunks out of sweet corn. If you grow a lot of corn, an electric fence (two or three wires) helps. Space the wires 4 inches apart starting at 4 inches above ground level. Raccoons prefer sweet corn in the early milk stage so have the fence operating before the corn is ripe. If you have a dog, kennel it close to the corn. The barking may help, but can also annoy you and your neighbors.
Published May 2020
Utah State University Extension
Peer-reviewed fact sheet
Download PDF
Authors
Daniel Drost, Vegetable Specialist
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