Essence sweet corn is known for its eating quality and high yields, producing 8 1/2" ears with tender, flavorful kernels. Excellent for fresh eating.
Sweet Corn Sowing Guide
Outdoor Sowing (Directly in the Garden)
- Timing: Sow sweet corn seeds outdoors once the soil has warmed up to at least 60°F, typically in late spring, after the last frost date.
- Location: Choose a sunny spot with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Corn benefits from rich, well-draining soil.
- Soil Preparation: Loosen the soil to a depth of 8–10 inches, incorporating compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and drainage. Sweet corn is a heavy feeder and will benefit from nutrient-rich soil.
- Planting Seeds:
- Sow seeds about 1 inch deep, spacing them 8–12 inches apart in rows.
- For optimal pollination, plant in blocks (multiple short rows) rather than a single long row.
- Thinning: Once seedlings reach 3–4 inches in height, thin to about 12 inches apart if needed, to allow each plant enough space for growth and reduce competition.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 7–10 days. Once plants are established, water deeply, providing about 1 inch of water per week, especially during dry spells and when plants begin to tassel.
Indoor Sowing (Starting Seeds Indoors)
- Timing: Corn is usually sown directly outdoors, but if starting indoors, begin 2–3 weeks before the last frost date to avoid extended indoor growth.
- Containers: Use deep pots or biodegradable pots to prevent root disturbance during transplanting.
- Planting:
- Sow seeds 1 inch deep, placing 1 seed per pot.
- Cover lightly with soil mix and water gently.
- Germination:
- Keep temperatures around 70–75°F for optimal germination.
- Expect seedlings to emerge within 5–7 days.
- Thinning: Not required for indoor sowing if only one seed per pot.
- Transplanting: Transplant seedlings outdoors once soil temperatures reach 60°F and all risk of frost has passed. Plant seedlings 12 inches apart, spacing rows 30–36 inches apart to ensure adequate airflow.
General Care Tips for Sweet Corn
- Sunlight: Provide full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Watering: Water deeply and consistently, aiming to keep soil evenly moist, especially during flowering and ear formation. Mulch around plants to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Fertilizing: Corn is a heavy feeder; apply a balanced fertilizer when planting and side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer when plants reach 12 inches in height and again when they start to tassel.
- Weeding: Keep the area around corn free of weeds, which can compete for nutrients and water. Mulching helps reduce weed growth and maintain soil moisture.
- Pollination: Sweet corn is wind-pollinated. For best results, plant in blocks rather than single rows to encourage cross-pollination, ensuring well-filled ears.
