Stowell's Evergreen Sweet - Corn Seeds

Sow corn outdoors after frost danger has passed and the soil has warmed. Standard and dry corn types generally germinate well around 55–60°F, while supersweet corn performs best in soil closer to 65°F.

For a longer sweet-corn harvest, make successive sowings or grow varieties with different maturity dates. A practical method is to sow the next planting when the previous crop has three or four leaves.

Dry corn needs a longer season because the ears must mature fully on the stalk. Choose varieties that can finish before cold, wet fall weather arrives.

Direct sow seeds about 1–1½ inches deep in warm, moderately moist soil. Plant slightly deeper in light or sandy soil and shallower in cool, heavy soil.

Thin plants to about 8–12 inches apart, with rows roughly 30–36 inches apart. Plant at least three or four short rows together so wind-blown pollen can reach the silks more evenly.

Corn usually performs best when direct sown. If the season is very short, start seeds in deep individual pots and transplant while seedlings are young and roots remain undisturbed.

Choose a site with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Corn is a heavy feeder and benefits from compost or balanced fertility before planting, followed by additional nitrogen when plants are about 8–12 inches tall.

Water consistently, especially from tasseling and silking through kernel fill. Moisture stress during this stage can lead to poorly filled ears or missing kernels.

Keep weeds controlled while plants are young, but cultivate shallowly to avoid damaging surface roots. Once the stand grows tall, the leaves shade much of the soil.

Sweet corn is ready when the silks are brown and dry, the husks remain green, and a pierced kernel releases a milky liquid. Harvest by twisting the ear downward and cool or use it soon after picking.

Dent, flour, flint, popcorn, and other dry corns are left on the stalk until the husks turn brown and the kernels become hard. Harvest before prolonged wet weather, pull back the husks, and finish drying the ears under cover with good airflow.

Popcorn must dry thoroughly before storage. Test a few kernels after curing; poor popping often means the kernels still contain too much moisture.

Sweet corn provides fiber, carbohydrates, vitamin C, several B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidant plant compounds. Yellow kernels contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, while red, blue, and purple corn may contain anthocyanins.

Sweet corn is eaten fresh, frozen, grilled, steamed, or cut from the cob. Dent and field corn are harvested dry for meal, grits, feed, or processing. Flour corn grinds finely for baking, flint corn has hard kernels suited to meal and polenta, and popcorn is dried specifically for popping.

Corn earworms, cutworms, wireworms, flea beetles, and corn borers may damage seedlings, stalks, or ears. Check plants regularly and remove heavily damaged tissue where practical.

Raccoons, birds, and deer can cause major losses as ears ripen. Fencing, netting, or other physical protection may be needed where wildlife pressure is high.

Seed rot is more common in cold, wet soil. Corn smut forms swollen gray or black galls on ears, tassels, or stalks. Remove infected tissue before the galls break open and avoid leaving diseased residue in the garden.

Corn is wind-pollinated and crosses readily with nearby corn varieties. To keep seed true to type, separate different varieties by distance or flowering time.

Choose healthy plants with strong stalks, well-filled ears, and the traits you want to preserve. Leave selected ears on the stalk until the husks are dry and the kernels are fully hard.

Harvest before prolonged wet weather, pull back the husks, and finish drying the ears in a warm, airy place. Shell only when the kernels are completely dry, then store them in a labeled, airtight container somewhere cool, dark, and dry.

• Plant corn in a block of short rows for better pollination.
• Separate corn varieties by distance or flowering time.
• Water steadily from silking through kernel fill.
• Side-dress with nitrogen when plants are about 8–12 inches tall.
• Harvest sweet corn young; leave dry corn to mature fully.