Calico Corn

Corn

70d to harvest

Wake to a feast of color in the garden: Calico Corn ripens into jewel-toned ears where creamy kernels blush through warm butter, rose-gold, and deep ember-red in painterly streaks. The kernels are plump and firm with a crisp, satisfying bite, making each ear a striking centerpiece for autumn displays and seasonal arrangements. Grow Calico Corn for its bold, ornamental presence—an easy way to add vivid texture and lasting visual drama to your landscape at peak maturity.

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Mar 6th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Mar 6th
Harvest Begins	May 15th
Harvest Ends	Nov 26th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
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

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest is most likely to hit sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) and how do I stop it?

Watch for corn earworm/bollworm, which leaves frass at the tip of developing ears. When silks are fresh (about 1–3 days after they emerge), apply an earworm-targeted control such as Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) that’s labeled for caterpillars, and reapply as directed. Also remove and discard badly damaged ears early so larvae don’t move to neighboring plants.

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

During the rapid growth and tassel-to-silk period, keep soil evenly moist—aim for about 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) of water per week, split across 2–3 deep waterings if it’s hot. Sweet corn is sensitive to drought stress during silk emergence and ear development; if the top inch of soil dries out repeatedly, yields and kernel fill drop. Use mulch to reduce swings in soil moisture, and avoid soaking leaves late in the day to limit disease.

How can I tell when calico sweet corn is ready to harvest (Zea mays var. saccharata)?

Harvest when silks have browned and dried, but before they fully rot—typically about 18–22 days after silking for sweet corn. The best test is the kernel “milk stage”: press a kernel with your thumbnail; if it releases milky liquid and the kernel feels tender, it’s ready. For peak sweetness, pick in the morning and refrigerate promptly.