75 days. Named for its delectable taste, Ambrosia is as beautiful to see as it is to eat. The 8-inch-long ears are bursting with about 16 rows of jam-packed kernels in a checkerboard pattern of white and yellow. Measuring 2 inches across, the ears are large and very full -- the kernels are plump, juicy, and savory-sweet. Plants grow 6 1/2 feet tall, reaching their height earlier in the season than most. Good tolerance of Stewart's Wilt. Sugar-enhanced corn is creamier and more tender than Super Sweet, with stronger old-fashioned corn flavor, yet is sweeter than regular Sweet hybrids. This delicious variety retains its sweetness for up to 10 days after harvest. No isolation from other corn is necessary, and germination is easier than with Super Sweets.

Sow after last spring frost, when the soil is warm. Corn is famously easy to direct-sow in any sunny spot. To extend your corn harvest, make successive plantings weekly up to mid-July, or plant varieties with differing maturity dates.



How to Sow Corn: Best sown outdoors in soil after all danger of frost is past in the spring Sow in a warm soil Seeds can also be sown indoors, 2 weeks before last frost, at a temperature of 70-75° For a continuous crop of sweet corn, sow every 2 weeks until early spring Indoors and out, sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed and expect germination in 7-10 days

How to Grow Corn: Transplanting: Thin seedlings to 3-12 inches apart or transplant to same distance when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Space rows 24-36 inches apart

Lighting: Site in full sun

Soil: Site in full sun in an acidic to alkaline, fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Keep well fertilized

Appearance and Use: Plants grow to 15 feet tall by 3 feet wide with long, strap-shaped green leaves. It is grown for the sweet corn that is eaten fresh (it also cans and freezes well) and for the dried kernels that become Pop Corn. Harvest sweet corn when the silks have dried; harvest pop corn when the stalks have dried. Sweet corn cobs are also used as animal silage and the stalks as fodder



Planting Corn is picky about its soil. Work in aged manure or compost the fall before planting and let over winter in the soil. Starting seeds indoors is not recommended. Plant seeds outdoors two weeks after the last spring frost date. Make sure soil temperature is above 60 degrees for successful germination. (Up to 65 for super sweet varieties.) In colder zones, the ground can be warmed by a black plastic cover if necessary. Plant seeds through holes. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4 to 6 inches apart. Space rows 30 to 36 inches apart. For sufficient pollination, plan your plot right. Don’t plant two long rows, rather, plant corn blocks of at least four rows. You may choose to fertilize at planting time, corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this can be skipped. Water well at planting time. Care When your plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them so they are 8 to 12 inches apart. Be careful not to damage the roots when weeding. Soil must be well drained and able to keep consistent moisture. In dry conditions, be sure to keep corn well watered due to its shallow roots. Water at a rate of 5 gallons per sq yard. Mulch helps reduce evaporation.



Pests/Diseases Click on the links below to learn how to manage different pests in the garden!

Raccoons Spotted Cucumber Beetles Flea Beetles Cutworms





Harvest/Storage Harvest when tassels begin to turn brown and cobs start to swell. Kernels should be full and milky. Pull ears downward and twist to take off stalk. Sweet corn varieties lose their sweetness soon after harvesting. Prepare for eating or preserving immediately after picking. Sweet corn freezes well, especially if removed from ears before freezing.