5 Steps to Growing Sweet Corn in a Garden

Sweet corn.

Sweet corn is a variety of maize that contains a very high sugar content, which gives it a “sweet” taste. This variety of corn is produced for human consumption, and many people grow their own.

Step 1: Preparation

By first preparing for growing, the gardener helps ensure a successful harvest. There are many different parts to the preparation process including site selection, soil preparation and fertilization. It is important that all steps are completed properly in order to produce a good yield at the end of the growing season.

Part 1 of Preparation: Site Selection

Corn is considered to be rather tolerant, however, it is important to plant seeds in favorable soil. In order for corn to thrive, it must be planted in soil that has a pH level of 5.5 to 7.0. In order for the sweet corn to show the greatest amount of growth, the soil of the selected site is a well drained loam soil. It is also important to choose a plot of soil that receives at least six hours of sunlight each day and is rich with nutrients and organic material.

Soil textures.

Part 2 of Preparation: Soil Preparation

To prepare the soil for planting, all weeds, rocks and other debris must be removed from the soil surface. Next, once soil is dry enough that it does not stick to the tools, the top 8-10 inches are worked, or loosened. This provides ease in fertilization and planting.

Part 3 of Preparation: Fertilization

Between 2-3 pounds of fertilizer for every 100 square feet is spread evenly over the soil surface. The surface is then often covered with a 2 inch layer of composted material. The fertilizer and compost are then worked into the top 4-6 inches of the soil. Then the surface is smoothed over with a rake.

Step 2: Planting

Sweet corn is a warm summer crop that is planted after the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds are planted 1-2 inches deep into the soil. They are planted 12 inches apart in each row, with rows roughly 24 inches apart. Once the seeds have been planted, the top 6 inches of soil is consistently kept moist until after the germination period. Sweet corn is planted in several short rows rather than a few long rows; this allows for better pollination which leads to better crop production. Corn seeds planted too close together will produce small ears with very few kernels.

A poor corn yield.

Step 3: Watering

Sweet corn is watered 2-3 times per week, or just when the top 1 inch of the soil starts to dry up. The plants are provided with about 2 inches of water every week. Overhead watering is avoided because it can result in fungal problems. Instead, the plants are watered near the soil so the foliage remains dry. It is important that sweet corn does not suffer from lack of water while the kernels are forming.

Step 4: Protecting the Plants

It is important to protect the corn plants from disease, weeds and pests throughout the growing season. Sweet corn is monitored for pests such as aphids. If found, they are quickly rinsed off with a sharp spray of water before they can cause damage. When corn is rinsed, it is done early in the day so fungal diseases, like corn smut, do not develop. Any corn stalks that show signs of fungal growth are promptly removed, so as not to spread disease. The soil just under the surface is hoed or tilled regularly to remove growing weeds. Deep hoeing, however, must be avoided because it can cut the sweet corn roots that are close to the topsoil.

Step 5: Harvesting

Corn is ready for harvest about 3 weeks (17-24 days) after the silk, or tassel, grows on top of the corn plant. Piercing a kernel reveals a liquid, and if that juice is a milky white color, the sweet corn is ripe. Other signs that corn is ready to pick include dry, brown silk and large kernels that are chewy like dough. Early morning or evening, when it is cool, is the best time to pick corn. To harvest the ears, the stalks are held below the ear and the tip of the ear is twisted toward the ground until it breaks off.