Sweet corn is one of the most rewarding treats you can grow in your own backyard. Now, if we’re being technical, sweet corn isn’t actually a vegetable—it’s a member of the grass family! But honestly, whether it’s a grass or a veggie doesn’t matter much once you take that first juicy bite of a homegrown cob.
Got Enough Space?
Before you start digging, you’ll need to make sure you have plenty of room. First off, sweet corn is a tall drink of water—it can reach heights of up to six or seven feet, which can easily overwhelm a tiny garden plot. But more importantly, corn isn’t a “loner” plant. Because it grows so fast, the stalks don’t get woody enough to stand up to heavy winds on their own. To keep them from toppling over, you really need to plant them in a block of at least three parallel rows so they can support each other.
Getting the Seeds in the Ground
When you’re ready to plant, here’s the game plan:
- Pick a spot in your garden that gets full sun and is tucked away from harsh winds.
- Mix some well-aged compost into the soil to give it a nutrient boost.
- Space your rows about two feet (60 cm) apart.
- Sow your seeds about 4 inches (10 cm) apart within the row.
I know 4 inches sounds a bit crowded, but not every single seed is going to sprout. Once they’ve germinated and you see the little shoots coming up, you can thin them out so there’s about one strong plant every 12 inches (30 cm).
Timing is Everything
Don’t be in too much of a rush to get started! The best time to sow sweet corn is usually late May. You want to wait until the threat of a late spring frost has completely passed; otherwise, the seeds might rot in the ground or the young plants could get zapped by a cold snap. If you’re impatient to get a head start, you can always start your seeds indoors in pots during the early spring and transplant them once the weather warms up.
