Growing Sweet corn, also corn,maize

Zea mays, var. rugosa : Poaceae / the grass family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
P                 P P P

(Best months for growing Sweet corn in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • P = Sow seed

October: After risk of frost

  • Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 16°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
  • Harvest in 11-14 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
  • Avoid growing close to: Celery.

Your comments and tips

13 Nov 09, pete (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i would like to save some seed from my corn. it is f1 gladiator. the f1 means its a hybrid so will this seed grow if i sow it or will it not? does anyone know?
25 Oct 09, Caroline (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
My corn seedlings are beginning to turn a yellowy colour, almost like they don't have enough sunshine...which they do. They are currently about 20-30cm. We have had a good amount of compost in the soil and recently gave them a liquid manure feed? We live in a basalt soil area which can tend be a bit acidic. Does any one have any idea of why they might be going yellowish? Thanks for your help...in advance :) Caroline
10 Sep 09, floody (Australia - tropical climate)
my corn grew to an alright height but flowered at the top before it got to a maximum height hence only one cob per plant, the smaller plants didnt even grow a cob. how do you get big plants with heaps of cobs i used potash as directed?
09 Sep 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Mike, 4 x 4 blocks means plant in 4 short rows, 4 plants to a row, so that the plants are fairly close together to increase the chance of cross-fertilisation as the pollen is wind blown. Mark, putting 2 seeds in together is because there is a chance that one will fail to grow.
04 Sep 09, Mike (Australia - temperate climate)
What do you mean 4 x 4 blocks?
30 Aug 09, Darren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We have planted sweet corn once previously in November - they grew great and produced good sized cobs corn but they were infested with insects - does white oil prevent this or is there a better way - we would like to stay with organic remedies.
27 Aug 09, julie (Australia - temperate climate)
Can we obtain baby sweetcorn plants or seeds in Australia? I remember seeing an article about the first crops being planted in Australia earlier this year. I'm interested for domestic gardening only.
25 Aug 09, Mark (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I've read that when sowing corn seeds, you should put two seeds in each hole then thinout when they shoot. Is this neccessary and, if so, what is the reason for doing it. I have also read this for other vegetables.
19 Oct 12, Ferry (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
this is to get the strongest seedlings and therefor a better crop as well as to in sure a plant per hole. i do not thin out corn and instead plant in decomposing seed pots with a few extras. corn does not always do well in normal seed trays when trans plated
29 Jun 09, kat (Australia - tropical climate)
I'm growing corn in Darwin for the first time, it started off going great guns but now is being eaten away by ants! I have eggplant planted next to it and it is doing really well, any ideas??
Showing 381 - 390 of 417 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. GardenGrow is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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