What Types of Sweet Corn to Plant in Florida

Genetic Mutation

• Sweet corn is a genetic mutation. Its genes have been modified to contain mostly sugar instead of starch, resulting in a sweet flavor. In addition to being categorized by kernel color, corn is categorized according to its genes. Normal sugary types contain the SU gene and are characterized by a sweet, creamy flavor and short storage life. Supersweet varieties have the Sh2 gene and are characterized by a higher sugar content but tougher kernels. The most ideal for use in the home garden are sugary enhancer hybrids, which contain the SE gene. These types of corn are sweeter than normal sugary corn types while being tenderer than the supersweet varieties.

Types for Commercial Growing

• According to the University of Florida's IFAS Extension, Florida is the United States' largest commercial sweet corn producer. Most of the corn produced commercially in Florida is of the supersweet variety. It is categorized according to kernel color. Yellow sweet corn types include Garrison, Winstar, Accentuate, Beyond Multisweet, Prime Plus and Summer Sweet 6800R. Bicolor types feature a mixture of white and yellow kernels and include Summer Sweet 8102R, Big Time, Obsession, Tethys, Beyond BC and Fantastic. White corn types include Summer Sweet 7311, Vail and Boreal.

Types for Home Gardening

• Home gardeners in Florida may want to consider a selection of sweet corn with the SE gene. These types of corn have sweetness of supersweets and the tenderness of the normal sugary types. For maximum success and a longer harvest, intersperse early varieties with later varieties. For example, yellow varieties Champ and Precocious are ready to be harvested within 68 days of planting; while Kandy Korn and Terminator require more time and are ready in 89 days. Similarly, white varieties such as Spring Snow and Kiss N' Tell are ready for harvest within 68 days; while Argent and Double Delight take up to 86 days to fully mature.

Planting Times

• No matter which type of sweet corn you are planting, sowing the seeds at the proper time will maximize your success. Where you live largely determines the best time for planting sweet corn. Northern Florida gardeners should sow seeds in February or April. Gardeners in Central Florida can plant corn anytime from January through April. If you live in the southern regions of the state, plant corn between October and March. Space plants 6 to 8 inches apart in rows 28 to 36 inches apart.