Growing Sweet Corn from Sowing to Harvest
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- 💛 📖 See the GrowVeg book here: www.growveg.co....
Sweet corn is very satisfying to grow at home, but the real prize lies in cooking up the cobs as soon as possible after harvest for a super-sweet treat.
Corn that’s had to travel miles to get to your plate will be past its peak, but cobs that have been picked in your own garden just minutes before cooking deliver a real punch of super sweet taste.
In this short video we show you how to grow super sweet corn, from sowing and planting to knowing exactly when it’s time to harvest for the sweetest, tastiest cobs.
If you love growing your own food, why not take a look at our online Garden Planner which is available from several major websites and seed suppliers:
www.GrowVeg.com
gardenplanner.a...
gardenplanner.m...
and many more...
To receive more gardening videos subscribe to our channel here: www.youtube.com...
If you've noticed any pests or beneficial insects in your garden lately please report them to us at BigBugHunt.com
I remember one of my uncles who was quite a backyard gardener. He used to stand in the corn, ready to harvest, and yell to my aunt "Is the water boiling yet?" Only then would he harvest what was needed for the meal. Best corn on the cob ever!
I bet is was Jerry!
That is awesome!
What a fun memory! My mom loved that Olathe Corn every summer.
That’s how it’s done 🎉
These days I prefer to microwave cobs in a covered bowl in 1cm of water 6 or 7 minutes 😮. They are better to eat than boiling, less stringy, soft but with great texture and full flavour I would not go back guys I'm afraid!😅
I planted sundance sweetcorn for the first time on my allotment as a newbie 4 years ago in root trainers. I got excited and planted 50 thinking not all will germinate and if they do I will discard the weaker one. You guessed it, they all germinated strongly and grew brilliantly with approx 8 cobs on each plant. I ended up buying a small chest freezer for £99 to keep in the garage to store the cobs which we were still eating a year later. Very funny but every year now only plant 25. Oh and before you all ask, yes I gave some cobs away as well. My sweetcorn growing story is aMaizeing. Great video, thanks.
A- MAIZE-ING indeed!
Sundance sweet corn; is 8 cobs (ears)on each plant correct or 8" long ears :if so do I ever want some of that seed
Ken Macdonald LOl sorry Ken typo there were no more than 5 cobs of corn on each plant hence the purchase of a freezer.😀
Where I live, we tend to have strong storms in June that beat corn to the ground. To help with this, I put a pole at the ends of row and run rope or twine from one pole, around the second pole, and back, with the corn in the row in between. I also pile dirt up around the bottoms of the stalks and firm it.
Great idea Robert, thanks for sharing.
You know sir, i started watching your videos during the lockdown. I find your videos to ne sooooo soothing, the background music is calming, your tone of voice is not overwhelming. Everything is just perfect. You are straight to the point and informative. I find my self falling asleep when watching other people clips as it is so long and boring. But yours is just PERFECT.
Thank you so much Maryam, that's really kind of you to say. I hope you continue to enjoy our videos. :-)
class act. Straight to the point, no non sense, good music, good writing. love it!
Best corn planting advice. Simple, short and precise. Thank you for sharing.
hehe, simple short and precise
I just went from carrots to corn, qbout to hit squash and i gotta say you make some of the best videos ive seen out there, there shorter but contain so much knowledge, their amazing quality thankyou for making them
You're very welcome - thanks for watching! :-)
I didn't think a video this short would be very helpful... It's been the best corn growing video I've found in TH-cam yet! Amazing job!
Thanks very much :-)
Exactly!
Ikr
Not interesting.
@@odejobironke8169 that's why your mom didn't kiss you.
For anyone who loves corn on the cob but hates the process of removing the silk to get it ready to cook, the easiest way in the world to enjoy it is to simply place the picked cobs directly into the microwave in a single layer. For each cob, microwave on high for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per cob at the highest power setting. When the time is up, pull the cobs out of the microwave oven using mitts. The cobs will be very hot. Cut the cob end off to the widest part. Grab the cob by the narrow end where the silk is and squeeze it out of the husk (the open end). It will be silk-free and ready to season as desired and eat! Not quite as delicious as grilled corn, but it's so quick and easy.
A brilliant cooking idea - thanks!
I just get as much silk off without being too anal about it. Then I just cook it and eat whatever silk is still left. Corn silk is not poisonous lol.
I've sowed sweetcorn for the first time today. My daughter has found a love for eating them so I thought I'd give it a go. 🤞
Hope it grows well for you Anthony.
@@GrowVeg Thank you. Hopefully the Jersey sun will help 😎
You seem so friendly and enthusiastic, feel so much more excited to get planting now!!
I know I am pretty off topic but does anybody know of a good place to watch new series online ?
@Christian Roberto i would suggest flixzone. Just google for it :)
I planted mine this year. We have quite a dry climate so I soaked the seeds in damp paper towels and waited until they start to show signs of germination before planting them out. I am pretty sure every single one has grown. First male flowers out Wednesday with the female ones just showing Thursday. Now to keep the watering up as we head into temps in the 30C+ and cross fingers we get a good harvest
Short and sweet, exactly what I was looking for
We do love our British cousins, here in the U.S. thank you for the tips in corn growing.
Thanks Greg. I expect you Americans are the real experts at corn growing. :-)
inspiring to see what happens i might grow it myself and i will have to watch it again,
Last year I planted two blocks of corn at the same time, in separate plots about 50 metres apart. One block was planted through black plastic (I used old compost bags), with a few punctures in it to allow rain in, the soil between plants was a bit lower than the soil around the plants, and the plastic was held down by canes laid in the channels. The other plot looked much as shown in the video, the way I had planted for the previous four years. I got a much better crop from the plastic bed, about two weeks earlier than the other (and no weeding!). This year, I will plant both blocks through plastic, but will set them three or four weeks apart, with cloches on the early batch for a little while. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for sharing your experiences Pam. I may well give your method a try also.
I'm
One of my uncle's swears by 2 -3 drops of vegetable oil per ear as soon as the tassels appear to prevent worms; just put it right in the ears where the hairs come out!
Interesting tip!
Short and sweet to the point
I love corn so much, your enthusiasm about corn makes this video very entertaining, well done x
Thanks Tom. Look out for next week's video - more on corn for you!
@@GrowVeg thank you so much, your reply made my day, me and Kate would love a shout out in a video some time, we are your biggest fans
I use the paperboard roll cores from toilet paper or paper towel rolls as the seed starting pot to start corn seeds in. I set 16 rolls with planted seeds in a pan or container and one week after the corn starts to show, I set the container out for a week to ten days to harden the new plants. Then I dig a hole large enough for the roll, tear of the bottom flaps and set the roll in the hole. Corn keeps growing and I repeat this several times until I can direct sow to ensure I have a longer harvest season. I live in Zone 7 in the U.S. and can usually eke out 6-8 weeks of fresh corn.
What a brilliant technique!
best growing corn video ever
I set my water to boil before picking I think it makes a difference too. I also don't like shucking so I just cut both ends off the corn then the rest peels off like removing a blanket from a bed.
Your voice is very nice. I planted 18 corns this year.
This man’s swagger is on 1000 peep the intro!!!!!
Short and sweet ! Just like the corn. Well done !
Thank you so much... Exactly what I wanted, straight to the point, no irritating noise or music, short, sweet and factual. 👌🌟💐🌿 New subscriber ✨💫⭐
Thanks for subscribing! :-)
Nothing better garden to pot and sweet heaven
We have started hundreds of corn seeds in a garden dish with very little soil and have had great success. In the high desert that saves us a lot of water and is a true blessing... as for cooking or enjoying corn that's past its prime add 3 Tablespoons of pure raw honey to the water before cooking. It adds the sugars that have gone back into the corn making them yummy again.
Brilliant tips, thanks for sharing.
Thank you for keeping me company while I rest for a bit. This is Caithness, the Land of 360 degree winds, so I've never had the nerve to try sweetcorn outside and they become a forest in the polytunnel. This year, I am going to try planting in a specially prepared and sited raised bed along a fence which I'm hoping will allow me to add polythene covered panels to act as a ''personal polytunnel'' but allow me to remove the lid if the weather seems kind. Its been a couple of years in the planning department of my beat-the-weather mind so this summer I will see how the execution goes. And, yes, the pot is on the boil before I cut the corn. No idea at all if it makes any difference to taste but gardenng wouldn't be gardening without a healthy dose of superstition.
Sounds like a fantastic potential setup to get around the wind. Fingers crossed - I'm sure you'll have good success with it. :-)
@@GrowVeg Like all aspiring gardeners, I am kept alive by Hope! Thanks again for your videos - they are all hugely entertaining and informative.
So ready now for growing corn, great video.
Plant with beans or peas because they fix nitrogen for the corn. Along with squash or pumpkin these are the three sisters of Native American tradition
Yup. CBS. Corn, beans, squash!
We have a short video on the 'three sisters' method: th-cam.com/video/kl6MeYIR6TI/w-d-xo.html
Don't plant squash , or you won't be able to access your corn since the squash will have sprawled everywhere. Think ahead.
MM the squash covers the ground to protect against weeds. John Ransom is right, Natives used the Three Sisters method. And we still do. It’s one of our traditions that didn’t die. It also helps everything grow quicker
John Ransom I have beans growing with my corn
Oh wow. I didnt realise how EASY growing cob would be..you made this straight forward, very informative with glitz n glam to it. Love it. Thank you so much. Think I'm too late in the year to start, but this will 1 of next years project. ❤
Definitely one for next year - it's a great veggie to grow.
You inspired me to grow corn again. I tried it last year and it didn’t work for me at all. All my other vegetables are doing great. Thank you
hi do you know if you can grow sweet corn in sept
I am trying out growing corn for the first time & also dwarf french bean to climb up it! Here's to hoping it works!
Love all of your vidoeo! Always brilliant information, straight to the point and do clear and helpful... And love your little doggy too! Thank you so much for your fab channel.
Cheers Katie, appreciate that. :-)
at 0:59 - look for SE; on seeds packages - the abbreviation for “sugar enhanced” for sweeter corn...
Corn likes flatter areas. I planted april 1st, in so ca, from seeds in a slope with a clayey flat area. And it was severely stunted. Watered clay is not permeable, it rots roots. But beets, squash did well there. Next time ill heavily cmpost the clay and add sandy soil too. Corn seems to like well-drained soil and morning sun. One thing though, when it's too hot, over 105 degrees, itll dry up fast. So if you have clayey soil that builds a crust and retains moisture the tops will dry, roots rot, and it's over like mine. $500 down the drain. Next year it's turnips, parsnips, squash, beets, cucumbers, potatoes. Corn is too hard to grow in wet clayey soil. And ants attack the corn too.
Brilliant Video, it was clear and gave us all the details we needed. Thank you very much!
Great video, try boiling the corn in a gallon of water, 2 cups of milk and a stick of butter. It’s awesome
I plant mine in my flower beds (because they give a nice contrast) after starting them off in a covered pot on the window sill in just a little water, I do the same with my peas. I find the cheapest seeds are those sold for popping corn, you get hundreds more for your money and just reject the duds.
The corn for popping are great - but they wouldn't be of the sweet corn variety - more a starchy corn for popping. Have you tried the cobs from them yet?
Thanks for all the meat and potatoes on growing sweet corn 😊
My first time trying cant wait to see the end result
Hello, I love fresh sweet corn. Your advice boosted my confidence when growing corn. Because of my limited growing space , for the last three seasons I have had success with growing corn in those large plastic storage boxes that one can buy from any diy or the likes of wilkos. I put six plants per box and use four boxes which results in enough cobs to satisfy my appetite. The wife don’t like corn. If you stick to the same recipe as for growing in open ground there should be no problems.
Great idea using storage boxes.
I grow some yellow and red and was able to eat as soon as it came .
My first try at planting corn. Thank you for sharing this information!!💕
Great video, planning to grow these in South A
I really appreciate your videos you always give the best tips 👍❤️
That is great to hear - thanks!
This is the best. Straight to the point. Thanks.
Great video with clear explanation, straight to the point with no BS 💩. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. 👍👌
Best video yet!!
Such a pleasant channel. Thank you for all the great advice!
You are very welcome indeed!
Never had any luck growing corn, but think I'll give it a try, again. Try throwing the cobs on the grill, still in the husks; just clip the tassels. Try cutting the husk at the bottom, them pealing it from the bottom up; seems to help with getting the silk off. Also, try softening some butter and blending in a bit of salt and lime juice, for applying to the cooked corn. Only make what you will use in a couple days, as it does not keep, well. For a bit of a bite, blend some salt and 1/8 or so tsp of cayenne pepper, to taste, in a stick of butter.
See Jan Vautard's post, below.
It use ful to new people thanks.
This is the first time my family and I have tried growing corn. I was a little unsure of how it is going, but after watching this, I'm feeling much better!!! I love how you educate, without talking down to your audience. Thank you for this wonderful video! (I've also got the squash and beans growing with it as well).
The only tip I have is plant seed direct in garden as soon as last frost date is past. Corn doesn't like transplanting. Also, plant seed at least 2" if not 3"deep. Shallow planting like less than two inches not recommended. Plant roots will not form properly, so plants tend to fall over. Mounding dirt won't help if seedlings have already emerged. Full sun and water are important both needed.
Great advice, thanks Carl.
Thank you , trying our hand this yr
Thank you. This information was very helpful.
Nailed it big man!
Add a tablespoon of sugar to your water with the corn when you boil it. Never salt. Salt makes corn tougher
Never knew this - thanks so much for sharing!
I'll def be trying this!
This wasn't corney at all! Verrrrry helpful!
Haha - very good!
Your tips about cooking very good. I would suggest people in warmer climates simply plant outside.
Thank you so much for this step by step visual video! It was very helpful and informative.
Salam brother thanks for your time and support for this video it's been very productive lesson and i love the grill idea with butter 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Thank you for your great, concise videos? Just checked my sweetcorn and I think it needs another week, but really looking forward to harvesting :)
I love corn
Do you remember how old the ones you transplanted were? This is my first time trying corn and after watching your video, I want to try the multiple seeds in one pot and them tease them apart like you did, just wanna get the time frame right. Thank you for the great video and for any info you can offer
They would have been about two weeks old when they were separated apart.
@GrowVeg awesome, thank you for the great videos and thank you for responding!
Really clear and helpful
Definitely going to subscribe after I write this! Thank you so much for this video, it was so easy to understand and follow! 🤗
Really great to have you along, thank you!
Thank you for the video I am going to plant some corn tomorrow for a fall crop - first time to ever plant corn !
Grilling corn is my favorite, but I find the microwave better than boiling. Be sure to put it into the microwave whole, with the sheaths still on, and it will cook inside its own protective casing very nicely.
That's a great idea. I guess they steam that way, cooking the kernels properly.
@@GrowVeg Yes exactly .
Brilliant informative video, thank you!
Oh this is great. I have a question! I notice you pulled apart into singular plants. I have two plants together planted as well as three plants together planted. Should I separate now????
I think if they're fairly big, I'd be inclined to leave them alone. They should still grow okay if there's enough space around them.
Thank you, for sharing your videos
Snap off side shoots at the bottom! 👍
Like the squash tip, going to need plenty of water though
Thank you that video was so helpful, I have sweetcorn just up first time growing corn.
Thanks l am going to plant sweet corn today😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🌽🌽🌽🌽🌽
Good staff
2:26 You should have two or three plants in a pot. Corn is hard to transplant if the roots get disturbed.
I take your point there David. These plants did do okay, but far better if you can avoid any root disturbance in the first place.
@@GrowVeg I put two seeds in a peat pot, then plant the whole thing when frost danger is over--no disturbance.
Thanks................and Well done
Great quick little review. Pretty helpful.
Great video is it better to start seeds in the ground, or in the pot and transfer to ground I live in zone 10? Thank You
I always reckon it's worth starting them off in pots. That way you can get a head start while the ground is still occupied by something else or not quite warm enough. If you are growing a large area, however, you'll probably find it easier just to sow direct once they soil is warm enough, as you are in quite a good climate for corn.
Very informative, I’m a complete beginner, do you think this will be easy?
I think if you follow the steps, and these: th-cam.com/video/Rvcm7PonNQk/w-d-xo.html and th-cam.com/video/DQSwwLvVtCE/w-d-xo.html you should do just fine. :-)
Well demonstrated
Thank you
Thank you! I want to be a grower of organic veggies. Such a great inspiring video!!
Thanks, do they need to be fed? Although I have already digged compost into my soil
If you've dug in plenty of compost they shouldn't need additional feeding.
@@GrowVeg thank you. Your channel is great help As I’m new to growing vegetables. Your very relaxing to watch too 😊
Hello mate,
I enjoy your videos anf find them infotmative and enjoyable.
Am i too late to sow sweetcorn now?
East Midlands area?
Thank you.
I think it's probably a bit late, yes. I would have a look in garden centres etc. You can often find sweetcorn seedlings in module trays or pots for sale - ready to plant out. This should save a good few weeks of time and increase chances of a harvest.
@@GrowVeg thank you sir.
I love your videos dude such good content!!
Thanks for info, it would be my first time home gardening in my life time :)
You've very welcome. Enjoy gardening - it nourishes body and soul. :-)
Brilliant video, cheers 👍🌽
My 5yr old grandson would come home from nursery run up to the corn and start pulling at a cob I took it off the plant unwrapped it and he would eat them raw didnt know you could eat them raw they were gorgeous.Dont worry i didnt use any pesticides in growing them.
What a wonderful experience. Fresh corn really can't be beaten!
Really informative video. I am going for baby corn as i don't have much space. Waiting for them to germinate just wanted to see if I planted them right.
Once harvested , can the plant regrow for next harvest?
No, you'd need to sow again.
Best way to eat sweet corn is eat it as soon as taken off stalk in healthy condition! Tastes green and sweet! Cooking and salt& butter can't replace what got cooked out of it😋
1. Start with fresh corn seeds for the best results.
2. Directly sow seeds approximately 1.5 to 2 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart.
3. Cover with soil, space your rows of seeds 30 to 36
inches apart.
4. Water your block of corn well after planting.
5. Corn stalks are sturdy and should not need staking.
Very informative! Do snails tend to eat them up after I move them out to the ground?
They can show an interest, but generally bigger seedlings tend to avoid the worst of the damage and grow through it. But pick off any slugs and snails you find!
@@GrowVeg Thank you!
I live in the north east of England. Would I be better growing them in large pots in my greenhouse? I'm not sure it will be warm enough outside.
Look for an early maturing variety suited to cooler summers. I grow Swift which does well. You should be able to grow them outside where you are.
Ben I have gone back to this video again a yr later after growing my own veg and fruit and food thanks to you and could I ask could you do a video on native North America glass sweetcorn at all pls and one on growing Cyprus potato’s too pls Cuz there both a must to grow and kid would love the colours of glass corn I have just found this out in 2024 and going to the to grow next yr this thanks
Thanks for the suggestion. The glass sweetcorn is just stunning! :-)
What do you do after you harvest the corn to prepare for the next season? Do you pull them out each year and start over?
Yes, pull up all the old plants then re-plant the following spring in a new area of ground.
It would help if you'd included some approximate dates for sowing and pnlanting out for UK growers.
No problem. Generally it's best to sow around early to mid April in the UK, with a view to planting them out in mid to late May, having hardened them off first.