Stowell's Evergreen

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

A slow-sweet hush fills the garden as Stowell's Evergreen corn reaches maturity—ears emerge in a steady, elegant rhythm, wrapped in deep green husks that promise tender, milky kernels.

The flavor is notably rich and classic for white sweet corn, with a crisp, juicy bite and a fine, buttery texture that shines at peak freshness. Grow Stowell's Evergreen for home harvests that call for roasting, steaming, and bright summer-style sauces, or for spooning straight from the cob for a pure, sweet corn experience.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Stowell's Evergreen

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

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Stowell’s Evergreen leans into that slow-sweet, milk-forward corn—when you roast it hot, you get caramelized edges without turning the center starchy. It’s a butter-and-acid variety: keep it warm, salt it hard, and let lime or chili wake the sweetness on the finish.

Best Uses

roasting for caramelized, nutty sweetness while keeping kernels milky
steaming and butter-salting for peak-cob snacking
quick summer sauces (cream/butter reduction, herb-lime dressing) served warm over grilled proteins
cutting kernels for spoonable succotash-style bowls with soft fats and acid

Flavor Profile

slow-sweet flavor with milky, tender kernels crisp, juicy bite fine buttery texture with a clean corn finish

Kitchen Pairings

lime unsalted butter chili powder cilantro parmesan smoked bacon

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely to affect sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata), and how can I manage it?

Watch for corn earworm (often visible as frass in the silks) and treat early by inspecting ears every 1–2 days once silks appear. Remove and discard damaged ears, and apply an appropriate Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) product targeted for caterpillars when silks are fresh and green; reapply according to label timing. If you see fungal issues like gray mold/leaf blight, improve airflow by spacing plants and avoid overhead watering, since wet leaves drive spread in corn stands.

How often should I water Stowell's Evergreen while it’s growing and filling out ears?

During the main growth phase and especially from tasseling through ear fill, keep soil evenly moist so cobs develop well—aim for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, adjusting for rainfall. Water deeply 1–2 times per week rather than light daily sprinkling, and check moisture 2–3 inches down; the soil should stay consistently moist without puddling. Reduce stress because dry spells during silk emergence and kernel fill can cause patchy or underdeveloped kernels.

How do I tell when Stowell's Evergreen is ready to harvest?

Harvest about 75 days from sowing (often right after silks turn brown), but use the kernel stage for accuracy. Press a kernel with your thumbnail—if it releases milky juice and feels tender, it’s ready; if the kernel is watery or turns doughy late in the window, harvest soon. For best sweetness, pick in the cool part of the day and shuck right after harvest.