Hickory King

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Sweetly aromatic at harvest, Hickory King corn brings a rich, warm golden depth with a tender, floury bite that’s prized for meal-making.

The kernels develop in tight, well-filled rows on sturdy ears, offering a fine, creamy texture that grinds beautifully into flour. Grow it for a dependable 75-day rhythm and a harvest that feels like sunshine in the garden—ideal for turning into hearty, homemade staples and comforting blends.

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)	50
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Hickory King leans into that tender, floury kernel stage—when you cook it just enough, it goes creamy instead of chewy. It’s built for turning fresh sweetness into thicker purées and grinds, where its warm golden aroma stays front-of-house.

Best Uses

fresh-kernel sauté with a knob of butter and salt (minimal cooking to keep the floury tenderness)
grinding into sweet corn flour for spoonbread, pancakes, or porridge
creamy corn purée/soup that thickens naturally without heavy roux
charred-then-creamed corn for tacos or spooning over roasted chicken

Flavor Profile

sweet, warm corn aroma tender floury kernels creamy bite with a soft starchy snap golden, lightly buttery finish

Kitchen Pairings

butter smoked paprika lime black pepper chicken cotija cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem is common on sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), and how can I fix it?

Watch for corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), which feeds in the silk and damages kernels as they form. Apply an appropriate Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) product when silks first appear and reapply per label timing so it matches egg-hatch, and remove heavily infested ears early. Also keep an eye out for common rust—orange pustules on leaves—by watering at the base and spacing plants for airflow; remove badly infected leaves to slow spread.

How often should I water sweet corn during its main growing phase (tasseling to grain fill)?

During tasseling through grain fill, keep soil evenly moist—typically about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–4 cm) of water per week, split into 1–2 deep waterings. Check by pushing a finger 2–3 inches into the soil; it should feel consistently moist, not drying out or staying waterlogged. Avoid frequent light sprinkles that keep the surface wet while roots dry out.

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

Start checking when plants are near the listed maturity (about 75 days) and when silks have turned dark and dry. Harvest when kernels are plump and release a milky liquid when pressed with a fingernail; this usually corresponds to about 18–24 days after first silks emerge. If the kernels look thin or the liquid is watery-clear, wait a bit longer—sweetness peaks right at harvest for Zea mays var. saccharata.