Sweet Corn 5

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Sun-warmed kernels burst with a honeyed sweetness and a tender, milky snap at peak ripeness.

Sweet Corn 5 forms uniform, medium-to-large yellow ears with a smooth, tightly filled cob that stays succulent for days after harvest. Enjoy it straight from the garden for fresh eating, or let its bright flavor shine in summer salads, salsas, and creamy corn-forward sauces.

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)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Sweet Corn 5 is all about that peak ripeness—kernels crack with a milky snap rather than going starchy—so it loves high-heat char and bright acid. Keep it simple: butter or lime pulls the sweetness forward, while creamy reductions shouldn’t overcook the last kernels.

Best Uses

charred-kernel salad where kernels stay juicy under heat
sweet corn salsa with lime and a little heat
creamy corn chowder-style soup (blend part, keep part whole)
corn succotash or skillet corn with browned butter and salt

Flavor Profile

honeyed sweetness tender milky snap buttery corn aroma slight vegetal sweetness

Kitchen Pairings

lime chili powder basil kosher salt butter cotija cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease most commonly affects Zea mays (sweet corn) and how can I stop it?

Watch for corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea) as silks emerge—tiny larvae bore into developing ears and damage kernels. Inspect ears every 2–3 days and remove damaged ears early; you can also use an appropriate targeted Bt product labeled for corn earworm and apply when silks first appear. For disease, keep leaves dry and improve airflow (avoid dense spacing) to reduce common rust and leaf blights that spread under humid conditions.

How often should I water sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) during the main growing phase?

During tasseling to early ear fill (roughly weeks 6–10 of growth), keep soil consistently moist with about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2–3 deeper waterings if it doesn’t rain. Aim to maintain even moisture—letting the soil dry out and then re-watering can cause poor kernel development. Check by pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the soil; water when it feels dry at that depth, especially around the ear zone.

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

Harvest sweet corn about 75 days after planting and, more reliably, when silks are brown and dried but ears feel fully filled from top to tip. Press a kernel with your thumbnail—if it releases milky juice and the kernel is tender (not starchy), it’s ready. For best sweetness, harvest in the morning and cool the ears quickly after picking.