SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Autumn Beauty

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Autumn Beauty to a garden.

Feel the first hush of autumn in every ear: Autumn Beauty corn brings warm, sunset-kissed kernels that seem to glow against deep green foliage.

The ears develop with a stately, full silhouette and a tender, juicy bite that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate—ideal for roasting, fresh snacking, and vibrant display-ready garnishes. Grow it for that unmistakable seasonal color payoff at about 75 days, when your garden turns into a living bouquet of amber and copper.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Autumn Beauty

Location not set yet

Location not set yet

Enter your ZIP for local crop dates

Autumn Beauty Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone Start Indoors Sow / Transplant Harvest
Zone 1a Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a Direct Sow May 25th Aug 8th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b Direct Sow May 19th Aug 2nd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a Direct Sow May 15th Jul 29th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b Direct Sow May 13th Jul 27th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a Direct Sow May 8th Jul 22nd – Sep 30th
Zone 5b Direct Sow May 4th Jul 18th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a Direct Sow May 1st Jul 15th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b Direct Sow Apr 25th Jul 9th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a Direct Sow Apr 20th Jul 4th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b Direct Sow Apr 10th Jun 24th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a Direct Sow Apr 1st Jun 15th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b Direct Sow Mar 23rd Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a Direct Sow Mar 6th May 20th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b Direct Sow Feb 9th Apr 25th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b — Oct 1st Dec 15th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

TraitValue
Days to Maturity75
Sun RequirementsFull SunFull sun
Growth HabitUpright
Support NeededNone
Planting DepthNormal
Germination Temp (°F)60
Min Soil Temp (°F)55
Min Night Temp (°F)50
Harden Off (days)Not Required

Culinary Notes


Chef's Note

Autumn Beauty is the kind of sweet-corn ear that rewards heat—kernels stay juicy and snappy instead of turning starchy, so it’s built for roasting and grilling. Keep it fat-forward (butter or cream) and sharpen with acid (lime) for a clean, sunset-bright finish.

Best Uses

  • char-grilled or blister-roasted ears for smoky sweetness
  • slicing kernels for a quick sauté with butter and herbs
  • creamy corn chowder or puréed corn soup
  • fresh snacking with compound butter (lime-chili, smoked salt, or herb-garlic)

Flavor Profile

sweet, honeyed corn flavor tender juicy crunch buttery finish with gentle nuttiness high-snap kernels that hold up to heat

Kitchen Pairings

butter lime smoked salt chili cilantro Parmesan

Frequently Asked Questions


How do I manage powdery mildew on Autumn Beauty plants in late summer/early fall?
Autumn Beauty is prone to powdery mildew when nights cool and leaves stay damp. Start by spacing plants to improve airflow and remove the most affected leaves early; then spray with a potassium bicarbonate or neem-based fungicide, covering leaf surfaces thoroughly and repeating as label directions specify. Avoid overhead watering near evening—water at the soil line so foliage dries quickly.
How often should I water Autumn Beauty during the 75-day growth period?
During the main growing phase, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist but not soggy—typically watering about 1–2 times per week depending on heat and rainfall. Water deeply so moisture reaches the root zone, and cut back once plants begin to mature so the soil dries slightly between waterings. If leaves wilt at mid-day, check soil depth first; don’t just mist—adjust to restore moisture at 1–2 inches.
What are the best signs that Autumn Beauty is ready to harvest?
Harvest about 75 days after sowing when the flowers/heads are fully developed and at peak color with no significant fading at the edges. For the best quality, harvest in the morning after dew has dried but before the hottest part of the day. If you’re harvesting for seed, wait until heads are dry and the seeds look firm and mature before cutting.