How to Grow Corn in Your Backyard for Delicious Summer Harvests

If you're planning your summer garden, consider making room for sweet corn. Few things capture the essence of summer like sweet, juicy corn on the cob. For many, the idea of enjoying freshly picked corn from their own garden can be both exciting and a bit intimidating. However, with the right growing conditions, such as ample sunlight, sufficient space, and nutrient-rich soil, you can cultivate this delightful crop and savor the flavors of summer right from your own backyard. Ahead, gardening experts share how to plant this delicious crop, along with care requirements, harvesting techniques, and storage tips.

When to Plant Corn

The best time to plant corn outside is after the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed, says Meg Gerritsen of Wood Prairie Family Farm. While corn can tolerate cool temperatures, it thrives best in warm conditions. A good rule of thumb for determining when to plant is to wait until the soil temperature is consistently 60 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Here are the general corn planting recommendations by USDA growing zone.

• Zone 4: Late May
• Zone 5: Mid to late April 
• Zone 6: Mid to late March
• Zone 8: Early to mid February

How to Plant Corn

When planting corn, it is essential to ensure proper spacing. Corn that is overcrowded or planted too close together can lead to competition for resources such as water and nutrients, resulting in stunted, smaller, and underdeveloped ears.

1. Choose the right location: Select a sunny spot in your garden that receives at least six to eight hours of sunlight daily. Ensure the soil is fertile and well-draining.
2. Prepare the soil: Remove any weeds and debris, then enrich it with compost to boost its nutrient content.
3. Create furrows: Using a hoe or shovel, make furrows about 2 inches deep in the soil.
4. Plant the seeds: Space the seeds about 6 to 12 inches apart in the furrow. Keep the rows spaced 30 to 36 inches apart to allow for sufficient airflow and growth.
5. Water thoroughly: After you sow the seeds, water the area thoroughly. Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering to prevent waterlogging.
6. Protect the seeds: Birds may consume newly planted seeds or seedlings, warns Gerritsen. Deter birds by creating visual disturbances and physical barriers. You can use bird netting, reflective tape, or hang shiny objects nearby, such as old CDs or aluminum pie plates.

Care Requirements

Corn needs certain conditions to thrive and produce ripened ears. With ample space, lots of sun, and healthy soil, you will be harvesting your own corn just in time for summer.

Sunlight

Corn requires full sunlight to thrive and produce fully developed ears. While six to eight hours is sufficient, up to 10 hours is preferred for maximum growth and yield.

Soil

Corn requires well-draining, fertile soil, ideally sandy loam to clay loam, with a pH range of 6.0 to 6.8, enriched with organic matter such as compost or manure.

Water

Provide sweet corn with 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. It’s best to give it one deep, weekly watering to encourage deep root growth, rather than more frequent, shallow waterings. Water needs are highest during the tasseling and silking stages, and the soil should be kept moist to a depth of 4 to 6 inches during this time.

Temperature

Sweet corn grows best when temperatures remain consistently warm, with optimal growth occurring between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

Sweet corn is a heavy feeder that requires ample nutrients to support its rapid growth. When planting, amend the soil with compost and fertilize the corn using a well-balanced fertilizer at three distinct stages: planting, early growth, and tasseling.

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How to Harvest Corn

Harvesting corn is an exciting step in the growing process. "You can tell that corn is ready for harvest when the ear has filled out, and the silks have turned brown and dried out," says Emily Scott, owner of Scott Farm in Maine. This stage is known as the peak 'milk stage,' occurring 15 to 22 days after silking. At this time, the kernels are tender, fully developed, and produce a milky, sweet liquid when punctured.

To harvest corn, Scott recommends holding the stalk with one hand and the ear with the other. Then pull down and twist the ear; it should come off easily.

How to Store Corn

To store sweet corn effectively, Scott recommends leaving the husks on and placing the corn in your refrigerator's crisper drawer. This method helps keep the corn fresh, moist, and sweet. For optimal quality, it's best to use the corn within seven days. For long-term storage, follow these steps:

1. Remove the husks.
2. Blanch the corn by boiling it for one minute, then submerge it in ice water.
3. After cooling, remove the kernels, place them in a resealable freezer bag, and store them in the freezer.

Common Pests and Diseases

Like other summer crops, sweet corn is susceptible to various pests and diseases. By closely monitoring your plants and using organic practices, such as applying neem oil, you can effectively reduce pest and disease pressure.

Pests

Sweet corn is commonly susceptible to pests such as corn earworms, flea beetles, and European corn borers. To minimize pest pressure, practice crop rotation to disrupt the pests' life cycle, and apply neem oil regularly. Additionally, planting resistant, high-quality hybrid varieties can help combat pest issues.

Diseases

Sweet corn is vulnerable to a range of diseases, including fungal, bacterial, and viral infections. Some of the most common diseases affecting sweet corn are Northern corn leaf blight, common rust, and common smut. To effectively manage these diseases, it's important to regularly inspect both the soil and the crops for any signs of infection. Additionally, applying neem oil regularly can help reduce disease pressure and keep your plants healthy.