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

01 Mar 09, anaura (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
hi I'mplanting corn for the first time , but the leaves are loosing colour and have small brown specs on I was a bit sloe at watering and it has been very hot can any one help . thanks
22 Feb 09, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks Chris, they are in blocks, but what I may be doing wrong is that I am dusting the silk for grubs as soon as it pops out & maybe that is stopping the pollination.
22 Feb 09, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Ian, poor pollination can result in corn not forming completely. Could your corn be planted too far apart, or in rows instead of the recommended blocks? (See the comment from willo on 20th Jan). It could also be due to insufficient water.
21 Feb 09, Ian (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The corn does not form completely on the cob. Does anybody know why? Thanks.
15 Feb 09, Julie (Australia - temperate climate)
We have tried to grow corn, but it comes out claggy when we go to eat it. It appears OK, but the texture isn't right. Anyone have any suggestions on what may cause this?
31 Jan 09, corey (Australia - temperate climate)
first time grower how do i tell if my corn is ready
22 Jan 09, Colleen (Australia - temperate climate)
Willo, thanks for your response. Will hope for better results next time following your advice.
20 Jan 09, willo (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Colleen, the shallow soil shouldn't be a problem as sweetcorn has a fibrous root system and is shallow rooted. The most important thing is too keep the moisture up and keep them well mulched if soil is shallow. If cobs are small due to not all kerels developing, this due to lack of pollination. Follow the instructions on the site and plant in blocks. Regards.
17 Jan 09, Kiran Kumar M (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Hi my name is Kiran Kumar .M. from india, i am working in Some private company in that i have conducted temperate sweet corn trials and these trials revealed that it can be grown in sandy soils and plants are most susceptable to stem borer attack
16 Jan 09, Colleen (Australia - temperate climate)
My sweet corn seemed to go well at first but most of the cobs were undersized. It was growing in a shallow no dig garden, could depth of soil be responsible?
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