Corn

Corn, with its tall stalks and lush, green leaves, is a staple crop that brings a sense of agricultural richness and practicality to any garden. This annual grass is known for its ears, which contain rows of kernels that can be yellow, white, or even multicolored. The sight of a cornfield or a garden patch filled with corn plants swaying in the breeze is a classic image of summer, adding a vertical element and a touch of nostalgia to garden beds or large containers.

In Florida planting zone 9, corn thrives during the warm months, particularly enjoying full sun and well-drained soil. The plants grow rapidly, often reaching heights of six to ten feet, and produce tassels and silk, which are key parts of the pollination process that leads to the formation of ears. Watching these impressive plants grow and produce ears of corn is a rewarding experience, showcasing the productivity and vibrancy of your garden.

Corn is not only visually striking but also a versatile and nutritious food source. The kernels can be eaten fresh, grilled, boiled, or roasted, and are commonly used in a variety of dishes from salads to soups to salsas. Cornmeal, made from ground dried kernels, is a staple ingredient in breads, tortillas, and cereals. Additionally, corn has a long history of use in traditional medicine and as a staple in the diets of many cultures around the world.

I would give corn a 4 out of 5 on how easy it is to grow. While it is relatively straightforward to cultivate, corn does require regular watering, ample space, and proper pollination to ensure good ear development, making it suitable for gardeners with some experience.

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Country Gentleman

Heirloom

Country Gentleman Corn

Description: Country Gentleman is an heirloom shoepeg corn variety known for its narrow, irregularly spaced kernels and sweet, creamy flavor.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–10

Special Notes: Matures in about 85–100 days. Excellent for fresh eating and canning. Notable for its unique kernel arrangement.

Silver Queen

Hybrid

Silver Queen Corn

Description: Silver Queen is a popular white sweet corn variety known for its creamy, tender kernels and excellent flavor.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–9

Special Notes: Matures in about 92 days. Resistant to common corn diseases and pests.

Golden Bantam

Heirloom

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Golden Bantam Corn

Description: Golden Bantam is an heirloom sweet corn variety with bright yellow kernels and a rich, sweet flavor.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–9

Special Notes: Matures in about 78 days. Ideal for fresh eating and freezing.

Peaches and Cream

Hybrid

Peaches and Cream Corn

Description: Peaches and Cream is a bicolor sweet corn variety with kernels that are both yellow and white, offering a sweet, creamy flavor.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–9

Special Notes: Matures in about 80 days. Excellent for fresh eating and canning.

Honey Select

Hybrid

Honey Select Corn

Description: Honey Select is a hybrid sweet corn variety known for its high sugar content and tender kernels. It has a yellow and white coloration.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–9

Special Notes: Matures in about 80–82 days. Excellent disease resistance and long shelf life.

Early Sunglow

Hybrid

Early Sunglow Corn

Description: Early Sunglow is an early-maturing sweet corn variety with yellow kernels and a sweet flavor. It is known for its rapid growth and early harvest.

Growing Season: Spring and Summer

USDA Planting Zone: 3–9

Special Notes: Matures in about 63–68 days. Great for areas with shorter growing seasons.


Florida Vegetable Planting Guide

This guide provides information on when to start seeds inside, direct seed, and transplant starter plants in the different regions of Florida.


North USDA Planting Zones: 8b-9a
Central USDA Planting Zones: 9b & some of 10a
South USDA Planting Zones: 10a-11b

Visit the U.S. National Arboretum for an Exact USDA Planting Zone Map.

Planting Map
Corn North Florida Central Florida South Florida
Start Seeds Inside Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended
Direct Seed Mar-Jun Feb-Jun Jan-Jun
Transplant Starter Plants Not recommended Not recommended Not recommended


Planting Guide – Corn

Getting Started

Start Seeds Inside:
Starting corn seeds indoors is not recommended because corn does not transplant well and grows best when directly sown in the garden.

Direct Seed:
Direct seeding corn during the warmer months ensures rapid germination and growth, taking advantage of the long growing season.

Transplant Starter Plants:
Transplanting corn seedlings is not recommended due to their sensitivity to transplanting and potential for root disturbance.

Soil, Sun, Water, and Spacing

Soil:
Corn prefers well-draining, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8. Adding compost or well-rotted manure to the soil can improve fertility and structure.

Sun:
Corn grows best in full sun, requiring at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Corn requires regular watering, especially during tasseling and ear development. Mulching can help retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Spacing:
Plant corn seeds 1–2 inches deep and 8–12 inches apart in rows spaced 30–36 inches apart. For good pollination, plant corn in blocks of short rows rather than one long row.

Fertilization, Care, and Problems

Fertilization (N–P–K Ratio):
Corn benefits from a fertilizer with a higher nitrogen content to support rapid growth and healthy ear development, such as 16-16-8 or 20-10-10.

When to Add:
Before Planting: Apply the fertilizer to the soil before planting seeds to promote strong initial growth.
Early Growth Stage: Reapply the fertilizer when the corn is about 12 inches tall to support continued growth.
Mid-Growing Season: Apply a side-dressing of nitrogen-rich fertilizer when the corn begins to tassel to support ear development.

Application Tips:

  • Follow the directions on the fertilizer package to avoid over-fertilization.
  • Apply the fertilizer evenly along the sides of the corn rows and water thoroughly to help the nutrients reach the roots.

Additional Tips:

  • Corn grows best in well-drained soil rich in organic matter, so consider adding compost to improve soil fertility and structure.
  • Mulch around the base of the corn plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
  • Ensure that corn receives consistent moisture, especially during tasseling and ear development, to prevent stress and promote healthy yields.

Harvesting:
Corn is ready to harvest when the ears are fully filled out and the silk at the top of the ear turns brown, typically 60–100 days after planting. To check, peel back the husk slightly and puncture a kernel with your fingernail; if the juice is milky, the corn is ready. Harvest by twisting the ear downward and then snapping it up and away from the stalk.

Pests and Diseases in Florida:

  • Corn Earworms: Caterpillars that feed on the kernels at the tips of ears.
  • European Corn Borers: Larvae that bore into stalks, ears, and tassels.
  • Armyworms: Caterpillars that feed on leaves, ears, and stalks.
  • Aphids: Small insects that suck sap from leaves and tassels, causing curling and yellowing.
  • Cutworms: Caterpillars that can cut down young plants at the base.
  • Fusarium Ear Rot: Fungal disease causing white to pinkish mold on kernels.
  • Rust: Fungal disease causing reddish-brown pustules on leaves.
  • Smut: Fungal disease forming large, grayish galls on ears and kernels.
  • Northern Corn Leaf Blight: Fungal disease causing long, grayish-green lesions on leaves.

Beneficial Insects:

  • Ladybugs: Help control aphids.
  • Hoverflies: Their larvae feed on aphids.
  • Lacewings: Their larvae prey on soft-bodied pests like aphids and mites.

Blog post on Natural Fertilizers

Natural Pest Control

Companion Plants and Plants to Avoid

Companion Plants:

Beans Legumes that fix nitrogen in the soil and can climb corn stalks for support, improving soil fertility and helping deter some corn pests.
Squash Vining plants whose broad leaves provide ground cover, helping retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and discourage pests like cutworms around corn.
Marigold Bright flowers that release root exudates deterring nematodes and other soil-borne pests while helping repel aphids and other insects from the corn patch.
Radish Fast-growing roots that can act as a trap crop, drawing flea beetles and aphids away from corn and reducing pest pressure on young plants.
Sunflowers Tall, sturdy flowers that attract beneficial insects which prey on corn pests and can provide light shade and wind buffering for the corn block.

Plants to Avoid Nearby:

Tomatoes Can attract pests that also affect corn, such as corn earworms, increasing pest pressure when grown close together.
Brassicas
(Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli, Kale)		 Compete for similar nutrients and can attract overlapping pest and disease issues, making rotations and spacing important.
Fennel Often inhibits the growth of many nearby vegetables, including corn, and is best given its own space away from the corn block.
Dill While useful in some parts of the garden, dill can attract pests that may harm corn when planted too close, so it’s better grouped elsewhere.