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How Do I Tell When My Sweet Corn Is Ripe?

Harvesting sweet corn at the correct time ensures that the kernels have developed and matured. Sweet corn should be harvested when it reaches the milk stage, that is when the corn kernels release a milk-like juice once punctured. Monitor sweet corn closely for ripeness after silk appears on the ears--the corn matures within 15 to 20 days on the stalk after that point. Once you harvest sweet corn, store it properly to prevent a loss in sugar content.

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the silk on the ears of corn. Silk on mature ears appears brown and dry close to the tip.

    • 2

      Peel back the husks carefully to expose the top kernels. Ensure that the kernels have filled out at the tip of the ear; immature corn ears do not have full, juicy kernels that reach to the tip.

    • 3

      Puncture a large, plump kernel with the tip of your fingernail. Examine the juice that runs out of the kernel. The juice should appear milky white, not clear.

    • 4

      Grab the corn ear at the base when it is ripe. Twist the ear downward from the base to remove it from the stalk. Harvest sweet corn in the morning.

    • 5

      Store sweet corn in the refrigerator immediately after picking. The quality of the corn deteriorates rapidly once you harvest it. For best taste, store the corn at 32 degrees Fahrenheit for no longer than 4 to 8 days before consuming it.

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Growing Corn
  1. How to Tell When to Harvest
  2. When to Grow Sweet Corn
  3. How to Tell When a Strawberry Is Ripe
  4. When to Plant Sweet Corn in Missouri
  5. When to Plant Sweet Corn in Pennsylvania
  6. How to Grow Anasazi Sweet Corn
  7. How to Grow Sweet Corn in Australia
  8. When to Harvest Sweet Corn
  9. How to Tell When Corn is Ripe
  10. How to Tell When a Chestnut Is Ripe
  11. How to Tell When Squash & Melons Are Ripe
  12. How to Tell When a Coconut Is Ripe

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