Growing Sweet Corn [fact sheet] (2024)

FAQs

How do you get the best yield from sweet corn? ›

For maximum growth and yield, sweet corn should receive full sun. Soil temperature must be at least 50°F for germination and growth, but 60-85°F is ideal.

Plant seeds one inch deep, and eight to 12 inches apart, with rows 30 to 36 inches apart. Plant in blocks of at least four rows rather than a long single row for proper pollination. Small, lightweight Shrunken (sh) kernels demand the most care at planting. Do not plant them deeper than three-fourths to one inch.

Corn needs a big garden

Since each plant produces only one or two ears, it would be necessary to plant at least 80 feet of row to produce enough sweet corn for a family of four. Corn is wind pollinated. It must be planted in blocks or squares of three or more rows.

Sweet corn matures in 60 to 100 days, depending on the variety. For a continuous harvest, plant early, mid and late season varieties or make successive two-week plantings of the same variety. Sweet corn should be ready for harvest about 20 days after the appearance of the first silk strands.

Fertilize the plants with a 16-16-8 liquid fertilizer when the corn plants have reached a height of 4 inches, but before it reaches 8 inches tall. Also add a few inches of organic mulch when the corn is 3 or 4 inches tall.

Apply three to four pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. Fertilizer should be broadcast evenly and worked into the top two to three inches of soil prior to seeding. When corn is 12 inches tall it is a good idea to apply a sidedressing of fertilizer.

Under most situations, a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus constitutes an effective starter material. Liquid 10-34-0 and dry 18-46-0 are common starter fertilizer materials. Liquid 7-21-7 and dry 8-32-16 are also commonly used.

Several nitrogen sources are suitable, but the more common ones include ammonium nitrate (33-0-0) and urea (46-0-0) pre-plant and then ammonium nitrate, urea or anhydrous ammonia (82-0-0) as a sidedress. Each is a good source, but each also has limitations.

Amber said: “Work a good nitrogen fertilizer like Fish Bone Meal into the soil before planting, and side dress again when the stalks begin to tassel. Mulch well, keep weeds pulled, keep soil moisture as consistent as possible, and plant in full sun. Make sure the soil is warm before planting.”

Why do farmers leave 4 rows of corn? ›

Typically, farmers are asked to leave entire passes across the field so the adjustor can get an idea of conditions in the entire field.

Each plant will produce one or two cobs, so work out how many cobs you're likely to need (you can freeze them) and provide enough space to achieve this.

Sweet Corn Spacing and Depth of Planting

Space the kernels 9 to 12 inches apart in the row. Plant two or more rows of each variety side by side to ensure good pollination and ear development. Allow 30 to 36 inches between rows.

Stress from pests, heat, lack of nutrients, and/or water can slow development. The number of leaves on a plant is dependent on the plant's maturity rating and the type of corn. For example, silage corn may have more leaves than corn designed to produce grain.

Maize can take from 60 to 100 days to reach harvest depending upon plant variety and the amount of heat during the growing season.

Aiming for maximum yield

Generally, growers maximize corn yield if they plant in late April or early May (Table 1). When spring arrives early, a mid-April planting date produces similar yield if young plants are not damaged by a freeze in May.

Corn needs about 1 inch of water a week, particularly when the stalks begin to tassel. Water stress during pollination will result in ears with lots of missing kernels, so don't skip watering your corn patch. Apply water at the soil surface by using a soaker hose or drip irrigation.

Typical corn harvest dates vary across the country based on a number of factors. That said, the Corn Belt – the majority producer of our nation's corn – typically prepares to begin the fall harvest sometime in September.

Is sweet corn easy to grow? Sweet corn is easier to grow than many people think. It can be grown in large containers, or the ground, and only requires a bit of room to anchor its tall stems. Plant it in 'blocks' rather than rows as it is pollinated by the wind.

Under- and over-applying nitrogen fertilizer to corn crops often leads to adverse economic consequences for corn producers. Excess levels of nitrogen in nature also pose serious threats to environment.

Is chicken manure good for sweet corn? ›

Chicken manure compost is especially beneficial for nitrogen-loving plants. Plants like tomatoes, peppers, leafy greens, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn, pole beans, and rhubarb all benefit from soil that has had chicken manure added to it.

Pre-Sidedress Soil Nitrate Test (PSNT)

With the PSNT, for optimum N nutrition for corn, the soil nitrate-N level in the PSNT should be above 21 ppm when the corn is 12 inches tall or around the 6-leaf stage. If it is above this level, there is adequate N in the soil to meet the needs of the crop.

Corn isn't a great choice next to broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, or kohlrabi—the corn provides too much shade for the sun-loving plants, and they are all heavy feeders, which means corn and cabbage-family plants will compete for nutrients in the soil.

Grow sweetcorn in a warm, sheltered, sunny position, protected from strong winds, and in fertile soil. Plants are less successful on dry or heavy soil. Prepare the ground by digging in lots of garden compost or well-rotted manure.

2,4-D ester. A PGR herbicide that can be applied at 1 pint per acre, 7 to 14 days before planting or 3 – 5 days after planting for greater crop safety. Plant corn at least 1.5 inches deep. Use the ester formulations of 2,4-D, instead of the amine.

Miracle-Gro water-soluble vegetable plant food has natural ingredients that instantly feed your corn. This plant food consists of 18% nitrogen, 18% phosphorus, and 21% potassium. There is no fear of your plants burning in the sun with this food.

The corn plant is distinguished from other species by its large leaves and robust growth. To make your own mixture, combine 1 part sterilized soil, 1 part medium-grade peat moss, or leaf mold, and 1 part coarse sand or perlite.

Corn requires a large amount of potassium and phosphorus, especially compared to grains like wheat or barley. That's why we believe that chicken manure pellets are such an excellent fertilizer for organic corn farming.

The list of possible causes includes severe silk clipping by insects (corn rootworm or Japanese beetles) during the final stages of pollination, delayed silk emergence or deterioration of exposed silks due to excessive heat or drought conditions, silk emergence failure due to silkballing near the tip of ear, and lack ...

Ideally the N should be applied just prior to this period of high N demand. For most corn hybrids N uptake is complete shortly after pollination. So, most of the N should be applied prior to the 10 leaf stage, with any supplemental applications complete by or shortly after tasseling.

What does 10 10 10 mean in fertilizer? ›

Understanding the Fertilizer Label

This label, known as the fertilizer grade, is a national standard. A bag of 10-10-10 fertilizer contains 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphate and 10 percent potash.

Granulated sugar – boiling corn in slightly sweetened water brings out the pure sweetness of the corn. Lemon juice – preferably fresh lemon juice, but if you don't have any on hand lemon juice concentrate will do. Salt – not too much, a little goes a long way. The salt enhances the flavors of the corn.

Side-dress plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer when corn is 8 inches tall. Repeat when it is knee high (18 inches). Mulch helps to reduce evaporation around the plants. To keep stalks standing straight during high winds, mound soil around the base of 12-inch-tall plants.

Sweet corn, popcorn, field corn, and the new super and sugar enhanced varieties all will cross pollinate. If you plant them too close, you will end up with starchy, very un-sweet corn. To keep your corn separate and sweet as advertised, you must have at least 50 feet between blocks of corn.

Corn is harvested at night due to the conditions of the corn stalks. They are approximately six to eight feet tall, and as the workers are harvesting in an area where the temperature can get up to 100°F during the harvesting season, it is preferable to harvest at night when it is cooler.

Field corn, also sometimes called “cow corn,” stays in the fields until the ears dry because corn is very high in moisture and must be dry to be processed. That is why farmers leave stalks in the field until they are golden brown in the fall.

The topping of plants is for seed corn production. The tassels are removed so that plants can only be pollinated by other plants. The rows that are topped are females rows.

A: 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.

High yielding corn requires approximately 22 to 30 inches of water per year depending on planting date, planting density, maturity group, location, and weather conditions. Corn requires the most water during the early reproductive growth stages (Table 1), which are also the most sensitive stages to water stress.

Planting corn in twin rows on 30-inch centers is seen as an alternative to planting narrow-row corn (22- or 20-, or even 15-inch rows). In a twin-row configuration, two rows of corn are planted close together (usually 6 to 8 inches apart and alternating), and the twin rows are on 30-inch centers.

What is the easiest way to plant corn? ›

Generally, growers maximize corn yield if they plant in late April or early May (Table 1). When spring arrives early, a mid-April planting date produces similar yield if young plants are not damaged by a freeze in May.

Sow sweet corn seeds indoors from April, ideally in individual coir pots or recycled toilet roll inners to minimise root disturbance when it's time to plant out. Alternatively, wait until May and sow sweetcorn seeds directly outside once all risk of frost has passed.

Apply three to four pounds of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet. Fertilizer should be broadcast evenly and worked into the top two to three inches of soil prior to seeding. When corn is 12 inches tall it is a good idea to apply a sidedressing of fertilizer.

By soaking the seed, it enables the new growth from the inside to push through the hard shell and grow. The seeds that could benefit from a good soaking include: corn, pumpkin, beans, chard, beets, and peas.

Harvesting sweetcorn

Each sweetcorn plant should produce one or two cobs. Sweetcorn cobs are ready to harvest when the silky tassels turn brown and the kernels, when pressed with a thumbnail, exude a milky liquid.

Corn seeds for superior sweet corn varieties have trouble germinating in cold, wet soil, and even under good conditions emergence can be slow and spotty. Priming corn seeds by soaking them in water for 12 hours can cut germination time in half while resulting in bigger, healthier seedlings.

Corn requires soil temperatures above 50 degrees F before it will begin to grow, even if there is adequate soil moisture for germination. As a general rule, corn should not be planted until the soil temperature (measured at 2 inches between 7-8 a.m.) approaches 50 degrees F.