Q&A for How to Grow Sweet Corn

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Can I grow corn using sweetcorn seeds from the corn at the grocery store?

Katie Gohmann
Professional Gardener
Katherine Gohmann is a Professional Gardener in Texas. She has been a home gardener and professional gardener since 2008.

Katie Gohmann

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

Almost all of the corn we eat is hybrid corn (https://www.ars.usda.gov/oc/timeline/corn/). Seeds from a hybrid parent will not grow the same way as the parent, meaning that you could end up with corn that is completely different than the corn you originally bought. You could try drying the cobs and saving the kernels, but in my opinion it's better to purchase seeds that are designed for planting.

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How do you plant maize in Kenya?

Community Answer

Planting corn in Kenya is much like planting corn in other parts of the world, however, you may want to research and buy corn seeds that produce varieties of corn that thrive in drier climates with more sandy soils.

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Can I soak the seeds before planting?

Community Answer

Yes. Soak them for around 20 hours or until the seed feels softer and looks plump.

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I'm growing corn for the first time. When I checked the corn today, about half of the stalks were on the ground and looked like they had been cut off at the base. What could have happened?

Community Answer

You may have planted the seeds too shallow. The root system of a corn stalk can fail to support the stalk if it is not started at least an inch deep.

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Can I use 13-13-13 fertilizer on corn?

Community Answer

Yes, but no more; you do not want to "burn" your corn. Too much nitrogen and other nutrients can lead to damage with any plant.

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How long does it take to grow completely, from planting time to harvest time?

Community Answer

From planting to harvest time, corn should take about 60-100 days to grow.

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Can I use frozen corn for planting?

Community Answer

Yes, corn is amazingly resilient; you can plant it frozen.

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If you are going to use the corn for animal feed, how far apart should the plants be?

Community Answer

The plants should still be about a foot apart to ensure healthy growth and adequate soil nutrition.

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Which soil is suitable to grow sweet corn?

Community Answer

You can probably grow decent corn in most soils. Good, rich loam might be ideal, but historically, corn has been grown in some very challenging soils and environments. It really depends upon how much care you put into the growing process.

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How does corn get pollinated?

Community Answer

Corn gets pollinated through pollen, which is emitted by the tassels and carried by the wind to the silk on another plant.

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If I put sweet corn in the freezer to eat in winter, can I boil it or grill it?

Community Answer

Yes, if you freeze sweet corn in the freezer, you can cook it in any way. Just be aware that it may have to be defrosted.

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Can you use tinned sweet corn to grow plants?

Community Answer

No, you cannot use tinned sweet corn to grow corn plants. Corn is most often grown by planting seeds.

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What do I do if the there's tassels out of my sweet corn, but no silks or cobs are showing?

Community Answer

That means you are having a drought and need to be watering. It should all be coming out at the same time.

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How close together can the corn seeds be planted?

Community Answer

If you want nice regular full size ears, the plants should be 12 -15 inches apart in the row and rows about 30 inches apart. If you try closer planting, closer in the row and closer rows, then the ears will start getting much smaller and some plants won't even make ears of corn. I've grown corn for years and tried it all ways. Corn takes lots of space to be grown properly and lots of nitrogen fertilizer but it's worth it to have your own tasty corn.

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What is the average yield of sweet corn per square yard?

Community Answer

One plant per square foot is pushing it. In Mel Bartholomew's book, Square Foot Gardening, he says one per square foot. I've never had much luck this close together. I've had very small ears. If I had a square yard I would plant one row down the middle and a row 18 inches out on each side. That is still 3 rows but wider apart with one seed per square foot. You now have 12 inches apart in the row and 18 inch rows. Rows 30 inches apart and 12-15 inches apart in the rows is the best but we can't always do that do to lack of space. In Most cases the closer the seed the Much smaller the ears will be. Some even tiny. Use plenty of fertilizer especially nitrogen.

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