Moisture range
35–60%
Days to maturity
70–90
Light
Full sun
Growing Degree Units
1550 · base 50°F
When to plant corn in your zone
Indoor-start, transplant and harvest dates calibrated to your climate.
Growing notes
Always plant corn in blocks of at least four rows rather than a single row for proper pollination. Sweet corn has a shallow rooting depth and can become drought-stressed in hot dry spells if not irrigated.
Harvest signs
kernels in the center of the ear are full and 'milky' when squeezed
▶Planting reference— Depth, spacing, pH, light
▶Pests & diseases— corn earworm, european corn borer, japanese beetles, sap beetles, +4 more
Common pests · 5
corn earworm: caterpillar near the tip of the ear, and a chewed-up area of kernels ↗
European corn borer: caterpillar near the tip of the ear, and a chewed-up area of kernels ↗
Japanese beetles: feed on green corn silks, inhibiting pollination and leaving incomplete kernel filling in the ears ↗
sap beetles: large irregular holes and decay spread from fruit to fruit ↗
raccoons: eat the ears as they mature, often harming the plot overnight ↗
Companions & antagonists
Plant near:BeansSquashPumpkin
Tip: Plant in blocks - needs wind pollination.
Common questions
How much water does corn need?
Corn is water-sensitive — shallow roots and a steady thirst. Keep soil moisture in roughly the 35–60% range and don't let it dry out fully, or growth stalls and leafy crops turn bitter.
Can I grow corn in a raised bed or container?
Corn prefers an in-ground bed with room to spread its roots, but a large, deep container works if that's what you have.
Does corn come back every year?
No — corn is an annual. It completes its life in one season, so you replant it each year.