Golden Bantam

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Golden Bantam to a garden.

Sun-warmed kernels burst with a buttery, honeyed sweetness—Golden Bantam is the kind of yellow sweet corn that feels luminous in the garden and irresistible at harvest.

The ears form with a classic, medium-slim silhouette and fill out to tender, milk-stage perfection, offering juicy, crisp bite and a rich corn flavor that shines whether enjoyed straight from the cob or turned into bright summer favorites like fresh salsas and creamy-style sauces. Grow it for reliable, home-garden delight and a golden harvest that arrives right on schedule in about 75 days.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

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Golden Bantam 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

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)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Golden Bantam hits its sweet spot at milk stage—kernels stay crisp and juicy instead of going starchy, so it shines with minimal handling. Use it where sweetness can sit on salt and acid (butter, lime, vinegar) and it’ll taste like summer under heat or in a cold salsa.

Best Uses

steamed or grilled corn straight off the cob with salty butter and lime
fresh corn salsa with chopped onion, cilantro, and a vinegar-lifted dressing
creamy corn chowder-style sauce or blended corn “cream” for tacos and pasta
succotash-ish summer skillet with smoky bacon or charred peppers

Flavor Profile

buttery, honeyed sweetness juicy milk-stage crunch distinct sweet corn flavor with a lightly grassy, toasted finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder cilantro butter smoked bacon crema or sour cream

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common pest or disease issue for sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and how do I control it?

Watch for corn earworm and fall armyworm, which bore into developing ears and leave frass near the tips. Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) products when caterpillars are small, and inspect ears every few days so you can treat early. If you see widespread damage, rotate out of corn/grass relatives next season and remove husk debris to reduce overwintering sites.

How often should I water golden bantam sweet corn during the main growing phase?

During the rapid growth period and especially after tassels appear, keep the root zone evenly moist with about 1–1.5 inches of water per week (more in heat). Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than frequent light sprinkling, and aim soil moisture so it stays damp 4–6 inches down. Letting the soil dry out during ear development can cause poor ear fill and tough, underdeveloped kernels.

How can I tell when Golden Bantam sweet corn is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 70–75 days after planting when the silks on the ears have browned and pulled back, but the ear kernels still look plump. Do the “milk test”: press a kernel—if it releases milky fluid, it’s ready; if it’s watery or not milky, give it a few days. Pick in the morning and shuck immediately for best sweetness, because sugars decline quickly after harvest.