Tips on Growing Sweet Corn

Location

• Plant sweet corn in a sunny location that receives six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. Place corn on the northern side of the garden to prevent it from shadowing other crops as it matures.

Rows or Hills

• Corn can be planted in either rows or hills, but because it is wind pollinated, it must be planted in blocks to promote good pollination. Several short rows are preferable to one long row. Corn that does not pollinate well will not "fill out" properly. Plant seeds to a depth of 1 to ½ inches spaced 9 to 12 inches apart in rows or in hills of five to six seeds spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.

Cross-pollinating

• Plant sweet corn away from other corn varieties, as corn will cross-pollinate. If several varieties are planted, stagger the maturity time by at least three weeks, or separate by 100 yards, recommends David W. Sams, professor of plant and soil science at the University of Tennessee.

Soil

• Corn prefers rich, well-drained soil. Amend cultivated soil with a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure and thoroughly mix it with the existing soil. Add 10-10-10 fertilizer at planting time, following the application rate on the container. Side dress corn by sprinkling fertilizer along the row 4 to 6 inches from the base of the plants when corn is 12 to 18 inches high. Work the fertilizer into the soil with a garden hoe.

Water

• Water sweet corn deeply once a week to moisten the soil to the root level. During periods of drought, corn may require more frequent watering. Check the soil 2 inches below the surface with your finger. If soil feels dry, your corn requires watering.

Harvesting

• Harvest sweet corn when the silk darkens and ears are plump. Often referred to as the milk stage, kernels should be plump and filled with juicy milky fluid for the sweetest flavor. As the kernels mature, the sugar converts to starch, producing dense, firm kernels. Sweet corn remains in the milk stage for approximately one week, notes the University of Illinois Extension Services.