If you’ve got the space in your garden, don’t go past growing sweet corn. As first-time corn growers, we found it absolutely fascinating from the get-go.
With dreams of golden, butter-soaked cobs straight off the BBQ, we watched as these tall, alien-like plants rose from the soil with determination and flair.
Fresh corn is an absolute winner. It tastes infinitely better fresh from the garden, the plants are fun to grow, you can harvest baby corn or full-sized cobs and it’s great for family gardens and first-timers alike.
From Kernel to Corn Plant
The seed of a corn plant is a corn kernel. It looks exactly like uncooked popcorn (and often is, minus the coating). Our seeds came in a vibrant red colour, most likely from a fungicide treatment…always read your seed packet carefully.
Our Setup
- Variety: “Golden Sweet”
- Germination: 7–14 days
- Harvest: 14–16 weeks after sowing
- Planted: Early spring (NZ), started in greenhouse
- Success rate: Very high—nearly every seed germinated
Soil Temperature Matters
We were a little eager to get started, so we began by sowing kernels into seedling trays in the greenhouse. These sprouted impressively well, with thick stems and strong growth.
But when we transplanted half of the seedlings into the garden in early October, they stalled. The soil was still too cold. The second batch, which we let grow longer in the greenhouse before transplanting, eventually caught up but not because of where they started. The difference came down to soil warmth and time.
Lesson learned: Wait until the soil is consistently warm before planting corn outdoors. It loves heat, sunshine, and regular watering. Rushing the planting doesn’t help.
Sweet Corn Growing Tips
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Corn loves water, especially once the plants are knee-high or taller.
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Choose a sheltered, sunny spot in the garden.
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Plant in blocks, not rows. This encourages better pollination, which means fuller cobs.
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If you do start in trays, be gentle with roots when transplanting.
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Harden off seedlings before planting them outside by exposing them to the outdoors for a few hours each day over a week.
Every cob of corn begins with a strand, which becomes the fluffy silk you see poking out the top of the foliage. Each strand connects to a kernel. If it’s pollinated, a kernel grows.
The plants grow cobs on the main stem, and most plants will produce several. Each cob will have its own tassel of silk. When the silks are green and fresh, they’re still growing. When they’ve turned brown and dry, that’s your signal that the cob is ready to harvest.
You know it’s time to harvest when silks were brown and papery, not green. If you pick corn early, when it’s the size of a small banana, you’ve got baby corn. These are completely edible, cob and all, and perfect for stir-fries. You can even slice through them easily, no need to shell the kernels.
Corn was an absolute joy to grow. Tall, bold, and delicious, it filled a space in the garden with real presence and reward. Whether you’re enjoying sweet, juicy cobs fresh off the BBQ or harvesting baby corn for a quick stir-fry, you’ll be glad you gave it a try.
Just don’t plant it too early, and keep those watering cans handy!
