How to Grow Corn

Intermediate

Zea mays

A warm-season grass grown for sweet ears. Plant in blocks (not single rows) to ensure wind pollination. Heavy feeder.

Last updated: June 2026

Days to Maturity

60–100 days

typical

Per Square Foot

Plant Spacing

30 cm / 12"

Sun

8+ hours

Water

1.5" / 38 mm

Fertilization

heavy feeder

Growing Notes

Direct sow after last frost when soil reaches 16 °C. Plant in blocks of 4×4 minimum for pollination.

Varieties & Cultivars

11 cultivars in our database. Click any card to see growing details.

Sweet

(5)

Ambrosia

72–78 days Hybrid

balanced sweetness and corn flavour; 14-16 rows; widely adapted; reliable in many climates; good for freezing

Height: 71–83" (180–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: difficult
Seed viability: 2 years

Bodacious

75–82 days Hybrid

very sweet and tender; widely adapted

Height: 71–83" (180–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.1 oz (200 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: difficult
Seed viability: 2 years

Golden Bantam

78–85 days Open-Pollinated

15-18cm ears; rich old-fashioned sweet corn flavour

Height: 59–79" (150–200 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 5.3 oz (150 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

Honey Select

79–84 days Hybrid

sugary enhanced; extended sweetness

Height: 71–83" (180–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.4 oz (210 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: difficult
Seed viability: 2 years

Peaches and Cream

70–83 days Hybrid

20cm ears; very sweet and tender

Height: 71–94" (180–240 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 6.9 oz (195 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: difficult
Seed viability: 2 years

Ancient Hopi flour corn

(1)

Blue Hopi

75–110 days Open-Pollinated

used for cornmeal and piki bread; drought tolerant

Height: 59–83" (150–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 5.3 oz (150 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

Bicolor SE corn

(1)

Market King

70–80 days Hybrid

good flavour; reliable producer; good for home gardens and small farms

Height: 71–83" (180–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 0.7 oz (19 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–10
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

Classic Silver Queen-type yellow corn

(1)

Golden Queen

75–85 days Open-Pollinated

heirloom variety; good flavour; reliable garden corn

Height: 71–83" (180–210 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 0.6 oz (18 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–10
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

White

(3)

Country Gentleman

90–100 days Open-Pollinated

very sweet; su type

Height: 79–94" (200–240 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 6.7 oz (190 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

Silver Queen

92–100 days Hybrid

exceptionally sweet; needs long warm season

Height: 83–94" (210–240 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.9 oz (225 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: difficult
Seed viability: 2 years

Stowell's Evergreen

92–100 days Open-Pollinated

stays tender on stalk longer than most; su type

Height: 83–106" (210–270 cm)
Yield / plant: —
Avg fruit: 7.4 oz (210 g)
Support: none
Harvest: once
USDA Zones: 3–11
Seed saving: easy
Seed viability: 2 years

Companion Planting

What to grow alongside corn, and what to keep apart.

Plant With

Zucchini : Zucchini leaves shade soil and suppress weeds around corn

Beans : Beans fix nitrogen for corn; corn provides bean trellis (Three Sisters)

Peas : Peas fix nitrogen that corn uses as a heavy feeder

Pumpkin : Pumpkin vines shade soil and suppress weeds around corn (Three Sisters)

Parsley : Parsley attracts beneficial insects near corn

Watermelon : Watermelon vines shade soil around corn; corn provides wind protection

Squash : Squash leaves shade soil and suppress weeds around corn (Three Sisters)

Cucumber : Corn provides shade and wind protection for cucumbers

Sunflower : Both tall crops that attract pollinators together

Melon : Melon vines shade soil around corn; corn provides wind protection

Keep Apart

Tomato : Both attract tomato fruitworm (corn earworm)

Celery : Corn shades celery and both compete heavily for nutrients

Square Foot Spacing

1 per sq ft

12" apart (entire square)

View full spacing chart →

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