How to Tell When Corn is Ripe

Corn that is ripe has the best flavor, so knowing when to pick corn is very important. No matter what the variety--yellow sugary, white supersweet, or bicolor supersweet--all corn is checked the same way. Once a corn variety matures, it ripens quickly, so daily checking is crucial to make sure the corn doesn't overripen. If you've planted a crop of corn and you want to make sure to pick it at the right time, here are a few simple steps to learn how to determine when that is.

Instructions

- 1
  Pay attention to when the threadlike strands, called silk, turn brown. About 4 days after the color change is a good time to feel for the corn's density.
- 2
  Place your hands around the corn, on top of the husk. If the corn feels full, carefully pull back a section of the husk. If the corn doesn't feel plump, you know you have more time.
- 3
  Poke a fingernail into one of the kernals and check for milk. Clear milk means the ear isn't ripe. Pull the husk back over the corn and secure it with rubber bands, giving the corn longer to ripen.
- 4
  Check to see if the milk is cloudy. Once the milk is no longer clear, it is time to pick the corn. Thick, white milk means you waited too long.
- 5
  Know the type of corn you are planting and what the standard maturity time is. If you plant a 60-day corn, you'll have a general idea of when to start checking for ripeness.

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