Plant field guide
Corn (Sweet)
Sweet corn is the quintessential summer garden treat. Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows for proper wind pollination.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Zea mays var. saccharata
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- high
- Height
- 60 in (152 cm) – 96 in (244 cm)
- Spread
- 12 in (30 cm) – 18 in (46 cm)
- Spacing
- 10 in (25 cm)
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–11; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- moderate
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: no calendar months recorded.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Heavy feeder. Plant in blocks, not single rows, for proper pollination. Side-dress with nitrogen when knee high.
Pruning
No pruning needed. Remove suckers at base only if they appear weak.
Fertilizer
High nitrogen fertilizer
At planting and side-dress when knee high
Mulch
Mulch between rows to retain moisture.