How to Grow Hickory King Sweet Corn

The Hickory King variety of corn is more of a dent, or field corn, than it is a sweet corn classification. While it tastes very sweet, Hickory King is used most often for roasting ears or for grinding. The plant will grow to 6 to 12 feet high and will produce two to three ears of corn. Hickory King is an heirloom seed plant and is not a hybrid, so seed can be saved each year for the next year's planting.

Large garden space
Soil test kit
Fertilizer (if needed)
Hickory King seed

Instructions

- 1
  Select the area of the garden where you wish to plant the corn. You will need a large area, as you need to plant the corn approximately 9 to 12 inches apart, and you will need several rows for open pollination to occur.
- 2
  Test your soil using a soil test kit available at your local garden center or hardware store. Hickory King prefers soil that is neutral with a pH reading 6.6 to 7.5. Discuss with your garden center whether you may need fertilizers or soil conditioners to bring your garden soil into the proper pH range.
- 3
  Plant the seed 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches apart in rows that are 12 inches apart.
- 4
  Replant any seed that does not germinate within two weeks. Remove and replant seedlings that appear weak or unhealthy.
- 5
  Test for maturity after 100 days. Depending on how far south your are, the corn matures in 100 to 130 days. Mature Hickory King ears are 7 to 8 inches long, 5 inches in diameter and have approximately 10 to 12 rows of kernels. The kernels will juice when split with your thumbnail when they are mature.
- 6
  Allow several ears to remain on a few plants until the corn is dried. This will give you seed for next season's plantings.

Sweet Corn Planting Techniques

How to Plant Corn in Your Garden

Growing Corn