SproutSmart
SproutSmart™ Intelligent Garden Sowing

Butter and Sugar

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable
Zone 10a Save Garden

Planting Schedule

Add Butter and Sugar to your garden to build a schedule and get reminders.

Sink your spoon into the buttery, honey-sweet kernels of Butter and Sugar, where golden sunshine and pale cream mingle in a crisp, tender bite.

At maturity (about 75 days), the ears form with a plump, well-filled silhouette and a juicy, milky texture that shines in the garden and on the plate. Grow this bicolor sweet corn for standout summer harvests—ideal for fresh enjoyment and for turning into vibrant, crowd-pleasing corn-forward dishes and relishes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Butter and Sugar

Select your planting zone

To calculate dates and add this crop to your garden, provide your location or zone below.

Crop Dates : 10a

Growing note: Frost-free Zone 10a supports continuous outdoor production.
MilestoneDate
ClimateFrost-Free Climate
Growing ApproachContinuous Production

Crop Details

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Butter and Sugar sweet corn is built for eating at peak—tender kernels with a milky, honeyed sweetness that turns even simple seasoning into something memorable. It sears and grills beautifully, holding a juicy bite while developing browned, caramel corners.

Best Uses

  • fresh off-the-cob with lime and flaky salt
  • charred-griddle corn for smoky, caramel edges
  • quick corn fritters where the kernels stay plump
  • corn relish or chowder-style sides with onion and herbs

Flavor Profile

buttery-sweet kernel flavor milky, juicy tenderness clean corn sweetness with a light grassy snap

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder unsalted butter cotija or feta smoked paprika jalapeño

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do about downy mildew on butter and sugar peas?
Downy mildew shows up as pale yellow patches on the tops of leaves with gray-purple growth on the undersides, often after cool, damp weather. Remove and discard affected leaves immediately, improve airflow, and water at the soil line (not the foliage). If it keeps spreading, use a labeled fungicide that targets downy mildew and repeat according to the label until symptoms stop.
How often should I water butter and sugar peas during the main growing phase?
From first flowering through pod fill (about mid-season), keep the soil evenly moist—about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, split into smaller waterings if it doesn’t rain. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings, but don’t allow the plants to wilt, because that causes fewer pods and smaller peas.
How can I tell when butter and sugar peas are ready to harvest?
Harvest pods at 65–75 days when they’re firm, glossy, and the peas inside are plump but still tender, usually before the pods start to look dull or overly swollen. For the best sweetness, pick every 1–2 days once they start producing, because waiting too long quickly makes the peas starchy and less sweet.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 10a supports continuous outdoor production.

Garden Alerts

Frost-free Zone 10a supports continuous outdoor production.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 60°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Plant in blocks (not rows) and keep soil evenly moist so pollination stays consistent for tender sweet ears.