Silver Queen

Okra

Zone 4b Save Garden

🌱 55d to harvest Upright

Tender pods of Silver Queen emerge in a luminous, pale green sheen, with a crisp snap and a delicately mild, vegetable-sweet flav…

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	May 13th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Jun 10th
Harvest Begins	Aug 4th
Harvest Ends	Sep 27th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	55
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	80
Min Soil Temp (°F)	65
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	10

Recommended Companions

Genovese Emily Basil

Alaska Mix Nasturtium

Whirlybird Cream Nasturtium

Lettuce Leaf Basil Basil

Cinnamon Basil

Phoenix Nasturtium

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease problem commonly affects Zea mays var. saccharata (Silver Queen sweet corn), and how can I manage it?

Watch for corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), which lays eggs on the silks and tunnels into the developing kernels. Apply an earworm-targeted treatment when silks first emerge (following label timing) and remove spent silks if you see heavy damage early; planting with shorter-row spacing and avoiding overlapping generations also helps. If you notice gray fungal growth on leaves and stems, remove heavily affected plants and improve airflow, since dense plantings increase foliar blight risk.

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

During the rapid growth and tassel/silk period (roughly mid-season), keep soil consistently moist, aiming for about 1–1.5 inches of water per week total (from rainfall plus irrigation). Water deeply 2–3 times per week rather than frequent light sprinkling, and avoid letting the soil dry out for more than a day once tassels and silks are forming. Mulch helps reduce surface drying, but keep the crown and leaves dry to limit disease.

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

Harvest when kernels in the ear release a milky juice and feel tender—typically about 55 days after sowing for Silver Queen. Check starting at the end of the silk stage: if silks turn brown but kernels fill out and you can puncture one with a fingernail, it’s ready. For best sweetness, pick in the cool part of the day and process or refrigerate immediately.

Tender pods of Silver Queen emerge in a luminous, pale green sheen, with a crisp snap and a delicately mild, vegetable-sweet flavor. At about 55 days, plants produce slender, uniform okra that stays pleasantly tender for fresh enjoyment and shines in skillet-ready preparations, from quick roasting to silky sauces. Grow this variety for a garden-to-table harvest that looks as good as it tastes—clean, bright pods with a refined texture that keeps you reaching back for more.

Sowing Tips

Transplant Conditions

Wait until soil reaches 65°F and nights stay above 55°F before moving outdoors. Harden off for 10 days first.

Direct Sow Preferred

Sensitive roots — does not transplant well. If starting indoors, use biodegradable pots and disturb roots as little as possible when moving outdoors.

Expert Note

Silver Queen is typically direct-sown: plant when soil is reliably warm to avoid poor germination and weak stand establishment.