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

28 Oct 21, Mike (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
Can I plant sweet corn on dryland/with rain?
31 Oct 21, (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Corn needs plenty of regular watering - like each couple of days.
10 Aug 21, Saeed & Amina Hashmi (USA - Zone 10b climate)
can i grow corn in planters?If, yes any recommendation on planter size and number of corn seed per planter. I have very small area in backyard with very sandy soil and nothing grows there easily.
06 Jul 22, C. B. (USA - Zone 7b climate)
I got great information on using fabric grow bag planters from YouTube. Her channel name: Growfully with Jenna / Title of video: Can I Grow Sweet Corn in a Container? Absolutely! / Date published: Sep 1, 2020 / Length of video: 5:39 She suggests using 20 gallon grow bag planters. No smaller. She suggests making 6 holes in soil with 2 seeds in each hole and thin if need be. She says she does two seeds because every now and then, you'll get a seed that won't germinate. I hope this helps. Please check out her video. :) P.S. She does discuss the type of soil to use because corn is a very heavy feeder. She says use 50% mushroom compost and 50% garden soil.
29 Aug 21, anon (USA - Zone 7b climate)
Try and buy some soil or find free or cheap soil and improve your soil with manures and compost.
06 Jun 21, Barry (Australia - temperate climate)
Best time to grow corn temperate area (Check here : www.gardenate.com/plant/Sweet corn?zone=2 Editor )
17 Mar 21, GLORIA (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can i plant corn maize in pots?
14 Apr 21, Brad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You sure can I grew corn in pots last season, I used 500x390mm pots from bunnings (the biggest plastic pots they had) I had 9 pots in total in a cube with 3 corn plants in each one and they grew well, those pots are way to heavy for the wind to blow over. I have also used milk crates if you have any of them lying around just chop up your old compost bags and line the inside of the crates and fill, they're really easy to move around they're actually easier to move around then the big plastic pots haha.
18 Mar 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Corn should be planted in blocks, that is 2-3 or more rows for pollination reasons. It is probably up to you - do you want say 20 x 30mm+ pots. When plants are 1.2-1.8m high they can blow over in the wind.
07 Mar 21, Wendy Wong (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am coming to the end of my Corn harvest. I have noticed that the corn is now poker dotted with white & yellow corn. All of my corn is from the same seeds I just staggered the planting to have corn for longer. Also the caterpillars are more frequent as are the gaps in the corn. Are all these normal for end of season "problems"?
Showing 41 - 50 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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put GardenGrow in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use GardenGrow and subscribe to the free GardenGrow planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About GardenGrow | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.