Ask Extension for answers to commonly asked questions.

Growing Sweet Corn

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Sweet corn harvest time is a favorite part of gardening. Corn is at its best flavor when taken directly from the plant to the stove. What a delight for most youngsters--they may not always eat their peas and beans, but seldom do they turn down that fresh, golden sweet corn glazed with a touch of butter and seasoned to taste.

Sweet corn is an easy vegetable to grow. The harvest season can be extended either by planting several plantings of the same variety at ten day intervals until June 15 or by planting an early, a mid-season and a late variety of sweet corn all at the same time.

Sweet corn is a tender vegetable and should not be planted until the soil is warm. It may be planted around May 10 in the southern part of the state and around May 20 in northern areas. Sow seed in hills 2 feet apart or drop seed singly in rows. Thin corn plants to no more than two plants per hill or single plants one foot apart in a row. Rows should be spaced 36 inches or more apart.

Corn is wind pollinated. For well filled corn ears, you should plant each variety in small blocks of 3 or 4 rows rather than in single long rows.

Make certain that sweet corn has an ample supply of a balanced garden fertilizer so that plants do not suffer as they near the harvest stage. It frequently is a good practice to apply fertilizer about the time the tassels and silks appear. It is also a good practice to pull sweet corn plants as the last ear is harvested and while the plant is still green and succulent for chopping and adding to the compost pile.

For future reference, you may want to obtain a copy of Extension bulletin H-618, "Everybody's Garden Guide," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

Back to Vegetables Menu
Go to Ask Extension Index Page
For More Information Contact your North Dakota County Extension Office of the NDSU Extension Service for additional information or see our main NDSU Web Page for publications and articles on Agriculture, Horticulture, Youth and Family, Business and Community and Food and Nutrition at  http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/