How to Harvest Sweet Corn & Leave the Husk

Harvesting corn from the garden requires knowing exactly when to harvest the produce. Usually after 20 days from the growth of the first silk strands, the corn will go into a milk stage. During this stage, the kernels form and become filled with a milky liquid, a sign that the corn can be picked. However, removing the ears at the right time is tricky because you do not want corn that has matured too much, or corn with underdeveloped kernels. On mature corn, the kernels will typically appear plump, and the silk will be dead and brown, indicating that the corn is ready to harvest.

Toothpick
Basket

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the corn to see if it is ready to harvest. First, inspect the silk top of the corn. If the silk looks brown and appears dead with bright green husks, then this is a good indication that you can safely harvest the corn.
- 2
  Peel back a small portion of the husk tip to look for mature plump kernels with smaller ones near the tip. If you are still in doubt, poke a kernel with a toothpick. If the juice appears milky instead of clear, then it is ready to harvest.
- 3
  Snap the ears from the stalk. Make a quick and downward push on the ear of corn, and then twist and pull. The firm downward twist will leave the stalk in place, and allow you to remove the ear without causing damage.
- 4
  Place the corn still in its husk in basket. Refrigerate the corn or begin processing them for cooking or freezing. The hot temperatures in cooking will break down the sugar in sweet corn and increase the amount of starch.
- 5
  Leave the husks on the corn. Remove the husks and silk only when you are ready to cook the corn, or prepare it for long-term storage such as freezing and canning. Leaving the husks on the corn protects the kernels from damage, and it will retain the moisture, which prevents the kernels from drying.

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Growing Corn