Sweet Corn Seeds: Everything You Need to Know Before Planting
Sweet Corn Seeds: Everything You Need to Know Before Planting
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Choosing the Right Variety
There are many different varieties of sweet corn seeds available for planting. When choosing which variety to grow, consider factors like your growing zone, maturity time, disease resistance, and flavor preferences. Popular bicolor varieties like 'Kandy Korn' and 'Silver Queen' produce yellow and white kernels on each ear and have a sweet taste. 'Bodacious' and 'Obsession' are newer super sweet varieties that have a higher sugar content for enhanced flavor. For compact planting, beans that mature in 60 days or less like 'Quickie' or 'Freedom' fit well in short season gardens. Speaking to your local nursery can help you select varieties best suited to your climate.
Seed Starting and Planting
Sweet Corn Seeds is usually planted as soon as the soil can be worked in spring after danger of frost has passed. This ensures ears have time to fully mature before hot weather arrives. Corn seeds can be directly sown 1 inch deep in soil when temperatures reach 60°F or started indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost date. For indoor starting, plant seeds 1/4 inch deep in seed starting mix and keep soil moist until sprouted. Harden off seedlings for a week before transplanting outdoors once nights are above 50°F. Plant seeds or transplants in blocks, rows, or hills spaced 18-24 inches apart with 3-4 seeds/plants per cluster. Apply a balanced fertilizer before and after planting to provide nutrients for growth.
Garden Care Techniques
Sweet corn needs consistent moisture to develop properly. Water deeply 1-2 inches per week either through rainfall or irrigation. Use mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and reduce weeds. Pollination occurs when wind moves pollen from the tassels to silks below. Planting in blocks rather than single rows increases chances of cross-pollination. Stagger plantings by a week or more to extend your harvest. Remove lower leaves as they yellow to allow for air flow and prevent mold and rot issues. Scout for common corn pests like corn earworms which can be handpicked or controlled with Bt spray. Cutworm collars made of cardboard or foil placed around young stems provide protection.
Harvesting and Storage
Check ears regularly once silks turn brown for doneness. Gently pull back the husk to observe kernels which should be plump and fully formed without any doughy or chalky texture. Pick ears in the morning after dew has dried for optimal sweetness. Twist and break ears from the stalk rather than cutting to avoid wounding. Refrigerate sweet corn immediately after harvest unhusked in perforated bags or containers. Properly stored ears retain flavor for 5-7 days. Immediately eating or freezing is best if not using within a few days. Blanching and freezing allows you to enjoy fresh sweet corn flavor year-round. Enjoying homegrown sweet corn is a highlight of summertime!
Common Pests and Disease Problems
While sweet corn can generally be an easy vegetable to grow, there are some common problems to watch out for. On the pest side, European corn borers are hardy tunneling caterpillars that burrow into stalks. Treatment involves Bt spray which is a natural pesticide. Fall armyworms and corn earworms feed on silks, tassels and developing ears. Regularly check plants and hand pick or use targeted insecticides as needed. For diseases, southern corn leaf blight may cause yellowing and spotting on leaves. Rotating crops and using resistant varieties helps control this fungal disease. Common rust creates orange or brown spots and powdery spores on stalks, leaves and ears. Space plants farther apart for air circulation to reduce moisture and slow spread. Proper identification and removal of infected plant parts are key for disease management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to common questions about growing sweet corn:
- How many plants per hill/cluster? 3-4 seeds or seedlings spaced 4-6 inches apart within mounded soil12-18 inches apart between clusters.
- When is the best time to plant? Once soil has warmed to 60°F, plant seeds or transplants 2-3 weeks before your average last spring frost date.
- How deep should I plant seeds? Plant corn 1 inch deep in warm, well-draining loam soil enriched with compost.
- When will I harvest my first ears? Depending on variety, expect ripe ears 65-80 days after seeds are sown or plants transplant to the garden. Pick each morning when silks are dry.
- How long do ears stay fresh after picking? Properly stored sweet corn may retain prime eating qualities for 5-7 days in the refrigerator unhusked in a perforated container.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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