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 61°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 8 - 12 inches 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

06 Dec 13, (Australia - temperate climate)
i had this problem and read it may be not enough nitrogen, so i used some nitrogen rich liquid fertilizer and the brown leaf ends are now gone.
23 Oct 13, Kite (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Thanks a bunch to whoever who created this website.
15 Oct 13, TONY (Australia - temperate climate)
When you say avoid planting with ,is there a distance you go by, eg. is ten metres enough
27 Oct 13, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Depends why it is bad to grow it with it. Some anti companion plants attract the same bugs while others emit natural chemicals that hinder each other, some cross pollinate or need different conditions from one another. I do not know why Celery should not be planted with corn but 10meters should be plenty Have you tried an Aztec plot when growing corn? 3 crops from same patch. 16 corn 3 squash, zucchini or pumpkin and 1 bean growing up each corn plant (for nitrogen) per meter square. - Ferran
03 Nov 13, Zelle (Australia - temperate climate)
Aztec plot - sounds interesting! How do I find out more detail on how to plant one? Googled, but not much comes up. Thanks!
01 Dec 13, Michael (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Try googling 'three sisters' planting technique.
07 Oct 13, Lilian (Australia - tropical climate)
i do grow African sweet corn.great.can cook corn and bean, koki corn. Oh home sweet home that i missed
18 Sep 13, Jack (USA - Zone 2a climate)
why cant you grow corn with celery
16 Jul 13, northy (Australia - tropical climate)
try gently tapping the corn stalks with a broom handle in the middle of the day to allow pollen to drop over the plant.. i do this everyday while the corn is flowering and i get excellent results
20 May 13, Rebecca (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, I planted corn 4 weeks ago. They are now seedlings, but all these ants have taken up to living inside them. Also, there is a jumping, ant sized insect in there as well. I am worried that the insect will eat the flowers. Any info/ideas?
Showing 271 - 280 of 417 comments

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?

- Julie

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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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