The Ultimate Guide to Growing Corn in Your Garden

Corn is a versatile and rewarding crop that can be grown successfully in home gardens with the right preparation. Whether you’re planting sweet corn, popcorn, or dent corn, understanding the best practices for soil preparation, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting will ensure a bountiful and delicious harvest.

Click here to access the complete Corn Growing Guide (PDF) for detailed information on soil preparation, planting, and long-term care.

Types of Corn

Before planting, choose the right type of corn based on your needs:

• Sweet Corn – Harvested before sugar converts to starch, available in yellow, white, or bi-color.
• Dent Corn (Field Corn) – Used for animal feed, industrial products, and cornmeal.
• Flint Corn – Harder outer shell, traditionally used for grinding into cornmeal.
• Popcorn – Contains a hard outer shell with a starchy core that pops when heated.
• Chinese Hulless – Tender variety used for stir-frying or popping.

Best Growing Conditions for Corn

To ensure healthy growth and maximum yields, follow these soil and temperature requirements:

• Soil pH – Optimal range between 5.8–7.0.
• Temperature – Thrives in 60–85°F but tolerates 50–100°F.
• Spacing – Sow seeds 4 inches apart and thin to 8–12 inches, with rows 24–36 inches apart.
• Companion Plants – Grows well with beans, peas, squash, sunflowers, melons, and dill. Avoid planting with celery and tomatoes.

How to Plant Corn

Direct Sowing

• Plant 1 inch deep in warm soil (60–70°F minimum).
• Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows for optimal wind pollination.
• Use black mulching plastic to warm the soil if needed.

Watering and Fertilization

• Deep watering is essential for root development.
• Apply organic nitrogen fertilizer weekly as a side dressing until tassels appear.
• Mulch around plants to retain moisture and control weeds.

Protecting Corn from Pests and Diseases

Common Pests

• Aphids – Control with strong water sprays or beneficial insects.
• Corn Earworms – Use organic insecticides and remove affected ears.
• Cutworms – Use plant collars or let soil sit fallow before planting.
• Spider Mites – Common in dusty, dry conditions; control with regular watering.

Common Diseases

• Smut – Remove infected galls before spores spread.
• Rust – Caused by windborne spores; apply organic fungicides if necessary.

Harvesting Your Corn

Sweet Corn

• Harvest when silks turn brown and kernels produce milky juice when punctured.
• Pick early in the morning for the sweetest flavor.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

Dry Corn & Popcorn

• Allow ears to dry on the stalk until husks are brown and kernels feel hard.
• Store in mesh bags in a warm, dry area to finish drying.
• Remove kernels and store in airtight containers.

Why Grow Your Own Corn?

• Superior Flavor – Homegrown corn is sweeter and fresher than store-bought.
• Cost-Effective – A small garden plot can produce an abundance of ears.
• Perfect for Companion Planting – Works well with The Three Sisters Method (corn, beans, squash).

With proper planting, watering, and harvesting techniques, you can enjoy a healthy and delicious corn harvest right from your backyard!