Warm-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Corn (Sweet)

Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn. Plant in blocks (not rows) for proper pollination.

Sun

Full sun (8+ hours)

Water

1-2 inches per week

Days to Harvest

60-90

Difficulty

intermediate

Spacing

12"

Frost Tolerance

none

The Short Answer

Corn (Sweet) are frost-sensitive and need warm soil and air temperatures to thrive. You can also direct sow seeds 2 weeks after your last frost. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Corn (Sweet)

Sweet corn requires space and numbers — plant in blocks of at least 4 rows, not single rows, because corn is wind-pollinated and needs neighboring stalks to transfer pollen to the silks. Each silk connects to one kernel; poor pollination means gaps in your ears. The sugar-to-starch conversion begins immediately at harvest — the old advice to have the water boiling before you pick is not an exaggeration for the sweetest corn. Modern sh2 (supersweet) varieties hold their sweetness longer but germinate poorly in cold soil. Don't plant different corn types near each other — cross-pollination ruins sweetness.

Direct Sowing

Corn (Sweet) can be direct sown 2 weeks after your last frost date. Plant seeds 1.5" deep, spaced 12" apart.

Growing Tips

Plant in blocks of at least 4x4 for wind pollination. Corn is a heavy feeder — amend soil with compost before planting.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Beans Squash Melons

Keep away from:

Tomatoes

Corn (Sweet) Planting Dates by State

Click your state for corn (sweet) planting dates specific to your location:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026