In the Garden Spotlight: Sweet Corn

I wish I had planted Sweet Corn last year.  I thought I didn't have to room but I was wrong.  Had I read more about the Three Sister's method I would have planned ahead and made it happen.  I recommend Heirloom Seeds ONLY.  Sweet Corn is a very common GMO crop and I refuse to poison my garden with it!


The 2 varieties I have chosen are Stowell's Evergreen and Country Gentleman Sweet Corn.

Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn

90-110 days.  Released commercially in 1856.
This delicious white sweet corn is regarded as the "King of All White Sweet Corn Varieties", has been popular for over 162 years.  
Stowell's Evergreen matures slowly over a long period, extending the usual harvest and produces 9 inch ears with 16 to 20 rows of plump, sweet white kernels.
It has a good shelf life, and is a good option for eating fresh, canning or freezing.

Country Gentleman Sweet Corn

90 days.  The ears reach 7-8 inches long and produce a sweet and delicious, white kernel.  The ears have no rows, as this is a shoepeg type, and kernels are packed in a zigzag pattern.  Country Gentleman was introduced around 1890 by Frank Woodruff & Sons.  One of the best heirloom sweet corns.

As you can see, the Stowell's Evergreen has uniform rows while the Country Gentleman rows are a zigzag pattern.

Companion Plants for Sweet Corn are: Amaranth, beans, cucumber, white geranium, lamb's quarters, melons, morning glory, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower.

From the Growing from Seed page:

To ensure an early crop, sow sweet corn seeds either indoors or in a heated greenhouse.  I recommend using Peat Pellets or something like it do the delicate roots are not disturbed.  Corn does not transplant well.

Seeds should be sown in warm conditions, covered very lightly (depth of ¼ inch) and kept reasonably moist until seedlings emerge. 

The sweet corn seedlings should germinate after 10 – 12 days, and once they have fully emerged the weakest seedling from each pot should be removed.  If you choose to direct-sow, thin Seedlings 6-8 inches apart.

Water well and if they are being germinated indoors - move to a warm, bright windowsill.

Do not over water.

The young Sweet Corn plants can be planted into their final positions once all danger of frost has passed – around the middle of May, but remember that they will need to be hardened off for a week or so before hand. This can be achieved by either bringing them back under protection over-night or placing them under a cloche or poly-tunnel outside.

Plant corn in well-drained soil with lots of organic matter.  Grow in full sun.  Mulching around your corn will help keep the free of invasive weeds during the summer.  Plant with beans, cucumber, melons, morning glory, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower.  For complete details, read Companion Planting 101.

Non-gmo Sweet Corn seeds

 I know it's almost December and most of you are thinking about buying gifts and decorating for Christmas.  Me?  I'm thinking about what I'd like to grow in the Spring.  In order to get the best harvest with the least issues you must plan ahead!