How to grow sweet corn
Plant a block at least four rows deep so wind can pollinate every ear.
Your sweet corn dates
Companions
Bush beanCucumberMelonPole beanPotatoSunflowerWinter squashZucchini
Keep apart from
Rotation and family
Sweet corn belongs to the grasses (Poaceae). Wind-pollinated; plant in blocks, not single rows.
In a four-bed crop rotation it goes in the fruiting-crop bed. Avoid growing it where any grasses grew in the last three years.
Sow a fresh batch every 14 days for a steady supply. The succession planting calculator lists the dates.
When to plant sweet corn by zone
| Zone | Sow / plant out |
|---|---|
| 3 | Jun 3 – Jul 8 |
| 4 | May 26 – Jul 18 |
| 5 | May 14 – Jul 23 |
| 6 | May 4 – Jul 13 |
| 7 | Apr 22 – Jul 1 |
| 8 | Apr 9 – Jun 18 |
| 9 | Mar 8 – May 17 |
| 10 | Feb 15 – Apr 26 |
Based on typical frost dates for each zone; b half-zones run about a week earlier in spring. Zones 11–13 are frost-free in most years.
Sweet corn questions
When should I plant sweet corn?
Plant sweet corn outdoors 2 weeks after your last spring frost.
How far apart should I plant sweet corn?
About 12 inches apart, or 1 per square foot in a square foot garden.
What grows well with sweet corn?
Traditional companions include bush bean, cucumber, melon, pole bean, potato, sunflower, winter squash, zucchini. Keep it away from tomato.
How long does sweet corn take to grow?
Typically 70–90 days from sowing to first harvest, depending on variety and weather.