Video: How to Grow Sweet Corn

Would you like to know how to grow sweet corn? from growing it every year, I’ve picked up a lot of tips along the way. That’s exactly what I wanted to share in this new video.

Our favorite variety of sweet corn is ‘Sweetness Bicolor’ from Ed Hume Seeds. That’s a Northwest seed company and boy do we love that particular type! We’ve also grown ‘Peaches ‘n Cream’ and ‘Silver Queen’ – also with great results.

Here is the video, but be sure to read the information underneath it. There are plenty of tips:

Starting sweet corn from seed

We have a lot of California quail in our garden. They are beautiful birds but love to nibble on young seedlings. Because of this, we start almost all of our crops indoors from seed. That way, we get the seedlings off to the best start possible before transplanting them into the garden.

It’s important to know that sweet corn is a warm-season crop. This means it shouldn’t be planted outdoors until after the danger of frost has passed. Here in our zone 5b/6a garden, that’s usually in late May. I usually start the seeds indoors in mid-May.

Here’s a link to my seed starting guide for all zones.

Since I know that corn seedlings have fairly large roots, I start them in seedling trays with large cells. The trays are called Deep Root Seed Starters and are from Lee Valley. They are a little pricey but are well made and last a long time.

Hardening-off process

If you also need to start yours indoors, there’s an important step you don’t want to miss. That is the hardening-off process for the seedlings. It involves gradually acclimating to the intensity of the sunlight. Here’s how it works:

The process takes one week. On the first day, move the seed trays outside and place them in filtered sunlight for 1 hour. Then move them back inside. On day two, move them out for 2 hours and then back in. On day three, it’s for 3 hours but start putting them into a bit more sunlight.

You get the idea. Day four, they’re out for 4 hours before being moved back inside. Day 5 for five hours. Continue through a total of seven days, with days 4-7 in full sun. I know this sounds tedious but it’s definitely worth the effort!

Fertilizer for sweet corn

Corn plants need nitrogen in order to grow and produce well. I use Alaska Fish Fertilizer for this purpose, which you dilute in water. I use it about every 2 weeks for the corn plants’ first 6 weeks of life. Be sure to follow the label directions.

We also added some organic composted chicken manure to the soil in the bed. That’s high in nitrogen.

Wind protection

If you live in a windy area, be sure to protect your corn plants. As you’ll see in the video, I run jute twine around the planting beds at three heights. This prevents the plants from large movements which could snap them off at the base.

3 Tips on when to harvest sweet corn

• The silks that emerge from the end of the ear should be brown, dry and brittle.
• The top end of the ear should feel rounded.
• If you’re still unsure, carefully peel back a little bit of husk. If the kernels are filled in, the corn is ready!