Howling Mob

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Howling Mob to a garden.

Sunlit kernels arrive in a rush—Howling Mob sweet corn fills out with a vivid, warm golden-yellow sheen and a tender, milky bite that feels almost silk-smooth.

The ears are well-filled and impressively uniform at about 7 inches, with kernels that burst with bright, sweet flavor and a clean, juicy texture. Grow Howling Mob for peak-fresh enjoyment and for showy, crowd-pleasing corn-on-the-cob moments, plus its naturally sweet character shines in salads, salsas, and creamy sauces alike.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 65 DaysHabit: Clumping

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Howling Mob 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	Jul 29th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 19th – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 19th – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Jul 23rd – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Jul 19th – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Jul 17th – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 12th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 8th – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 5th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jun 29th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jun 24th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 14th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 5th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	May 27th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 10th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 15th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 10b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 11b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 12b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13a	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th
Zone 13b	—	Oct 1st	Dec 5th – Feb 28th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	65
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Clumping
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Howling Mob’s true superpower is that tender, milky kernel—cook it fast, keep the heat high, and it stays juicy without turning chewy or starchy. It’s the kind of sweet corn that practically begs for char, lime, and a slick of butter to make the flavor taste freshly “harvested” even on a weeknight.

Best Uses

corn-on-the-cob served straight off the heat (boil/steam, then finish with salt and fat)
quick char or skillet sear for sweet-savory edges
cream-style corn or corn chowder where the milky kernels thicken the pot
fresh corn salsa where it stays juicy instead of going starchy

Flavor Profile

bright, candy-sweet corn flavor tender, milky “silk” kernel texture clean, juicy bite with minimal chew warm, buttery finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder butter cilantro cotija cheese smoked paprika

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the most common disease or pest problem on sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), and how do I control it?

Watch for corn earworm and fall armyworm, which chew into developing silks and bore into ears. Apply a targeted treatment when silks are just starting to brown (use a Bt-based product labeled for earworm/armyworm) and remove any heavily damaged ears to reduce larvae buildup. If you see common rust (orange pustules on leaves), improve airflow between rows and avoid overhead watering to slow spread.

How often should I water sweet corn during the main growing phase to keep ears developing well?

From about knee-high through tasseling and ear fill, keep soil evenly moist with about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, increasing to maintain moisture during hot, dry spells. Water deeply so the top 6–8 inches stay damp—shallow watering can reduce root depth and lead to poor ear fill. Stop letting the soil swing dry-to-wet; consistent moisture during silking is critical for good kernel development.

How can I tell when my sweet corn (65 days, Zea mays var. saccharata) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the ear silks have browned and dried, and about 18–24 days after the first silks appear. Kernels should be plump and release a milky fluid when pierced with a fingernail; if the liquid is watery, it needs a bit more time, and if it’s doughy, it’s likely past peak sweetness. For best flavor, pick early in the morning and refrigerate right away.