Sweet Corn Seeds

How to Sow Corn

Growing corn is extremely easy provided you have enough space. Corn is wind-pollinated. Set up more than one row to ensure pollination. You will need a minimum 10-foot by 10-foot area to ensure proper pollination. Isolate varieties when recommended, by planting corn seeds at least 250 feet apart, or select varieties that mature at least 2 weeks apart. Sow corn seed 5 to 6 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart. When corn seedlings are healthy, thin to 1-foot apart.

How to Grow Corn

Corn is a fast growing vegetable and needs to be fed and watered to reach its full size. Giving your corn plants 1 to 2 inches of water weekly is required.

Harvesting Corn

Ears of corn are ready to harvest about 20 days after the silks appear. The corn kernels should be firm and milky when cut open.

Companion Plants

Sunflowers are good companion plants. Direct sow sunflowers in rows parallel to corn rows to help separate corn varieties that need isolation from each other. Choose sunflower varieties of comparable height to the corn plantings. The sunflower border, with vibrant hues in russets to golden-yellow, will add sparkle next to the almost all-green corn plot. The 'Three Sisters' (corn, bean and squash) are traditional companion plantings with Native American gardeners.