Caribbean

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Sweet, milky kernels arrive with a golden glow—bursting with bright, honeyed flavor and a tender, juicy bite that feels almost silk-smooth.

“Caribbean” bicolor sweet corn forms well-filled ears with a balanced mix of warm butter-yellow and gentle white, delivering that classic, garden-fresh sweetness at about 75 days. Grow it for peak performance in the home patch, where its sturdy plants and generous ear set make every harvest feel abundant and rewarding.

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)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

“Caribbean” sweet corn leans into that classic milky sweetness—tender kernels that turn glossy with heat but don’t go starchy. It’s built for short-cook treatments (steam, grill, or fast char) where its honeyed, buttery bite stays loud and juicy.

Best Uses

hot-off-the-cob grilling or steaming
quick skillet char with a knob of butter
creamy corn chowder or velouté-style soup
corn-relish topping for tacos and burgers

Flavor Profile

bright honey-sweet kernels milky, juicy snap buttery finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder cilantro butter crema smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), and how can I prevent it?

A common issue is corn earworm and fall armyworm, which tunnel into developing ears. Monitor plants twice weekly and use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when caterpillars are small, or hand-remove early eggs/silking larvae. Keep weeds down (especially grasses that harbor pests) and avoid overhead irrigation that favors fungal issues like rust.

How often should I water sweet corn during its main growth phase?

During the rapid growth and ear-development period (roughly after tassels emerge until kernels fill), keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of water per week total from rain plus irrigation. If the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of soil dry out, water deeply; shallow, frequent watering encourages weak roots in Poaceae like corn. Maintain this steady moisture because drought during silk and early kernel fill sharply reduces kernel number.

How do I know when Caribbean sweet corn is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the ears have mature, plump kernels and the silks have turned brown and dried, usually around 70–80 days after planting for Zea mays var. saccharata. Do a “milk” test: press a kernel—if it releases milky liquid, it’s ready; if it’s watery clear or the kernels are hard, wait a bit or it may be past peak sweetness. For best eating quality, harvest in the cool morning and use immediately or refrigerate right away.