Autumn Beauty

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

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

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
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.