Sweetcorn picked and cooked within the hour tastes noticeably sweeter than anything bought, since its sugars start converting to starch the moment it's cut.
Sweetcorn is wind-pollinated, so it’s grown in a block of plants rather than a single row to ensure the cobs fill out properly. It resents root disturbance, so most gardeners start it in deep modules rather than open trays.
Sowing & growing calendar
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | Sow in April | |||||||||||
| Plant | Plant in May | |||||||||||
| Harvest | Harvest in August |
Care details
- Sow In April
Sow indoors — corn resents root disturbance, so use deep modules.
- Plant In May
Plant out in a block rather than a row, to help wind pollination.
- Harvest In August
Pick when tassels turn brown and a squeezed kernel runs milky, not clear.
Growing tips & common problems
- Always plant in a block of at least 4x4 rather than a single row — wind pollination needs plants close on all sides.
- Check readiness by peeling back a little husk and pressing a kernel; it should run milky, not clear or doughy.
- Stake or earth up the base in exposed spots — shallow-rooted plants blow over easily once top-heavy with cobs.
Grows well with
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