Golden Queen

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Sunlit kernels in a warm golden-gold glow, bursting with a creamy sweetness and a tender, juicy bite—Golden Queen is the yellow sweet corn that feels like summer on the cob.

At about 75 days, it forms well-filled ears with a smooth, silk-to-kernel transition and a satisfying, buttery texture that shines in fresh harvest moments. Grow it for peak sweetness and color, and let its golden abundance become the centerpiece of your garden rows.

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

Golden Queen sweet corn is all about that early-harvest window: the kernels stay juicy and creamy instead of drying out, so it really wants high heat fast—grill, char, or blister—then hit with salt and butter. Use it where the kernel texture can speak; overcooking turns the sweetness flat and the bite goes mealy.

Best Uses

char-grilled or blistered corn on the cob with salt and butter
quick skillet sauté with chili-lime and a splash of cream
cream-style corn-style pan sauce (no long cooking needed)
fresh corn salsa with red onion and citrus

Flavor Profile

creamy sweet kernels tender, juicy bite buttery-gentle corn flavor snappy pop when fresh

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder butter cream or crème fraîche cotija or feta smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a common problem for sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and how can I control it at home?

Ear rots (often from fungi like Fusarium/Gibberella) are a frequent issue when ears stay wet during silking and early ear fill. Water at the base so the foliage dries quickly, remove and discard badly infected ears, and avoid planting in tight, shaded spacing that slows drying. If you see lots of blackened, moldy kernels, harvest affected ears promptly rather than trying to “save” them.

How often should I water Golden Queen sweet corn during the main growing phase?

During the rapid growth period (from tassel emergence through ear fill), keep soil consistently moist, aiming for about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week total (including rainfall). Water deeply 1–2 times per week so the soil moisture reaches the root zone, then back off slightly after kernels are milky to help ears finish without staying waterlogged. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry a bit between waterings, but don’t allow the ground to dry out fully while ears are developing.

How do I tell when Golden Queen sweet corn is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the ears are filled and the silks have turned brown and dried back, usually around 75 days for Golden Queen. Do a “milk” test: puncture a kernel—sweet corn is ready when the liquid is milky and the kernel walls are tender, not doughy or watery. If kernels look flat or the juice isn’t milky, give the ear a few more days and re-check.