Corn

At a glance

USDA Zones

4–10

Sun

Full sun (6+ hrs)

Water

High — consistently moist soil

Soil

Loam

pH

Neutral

Spacing

12 in. between plants

Per square foot

1 plant per square

Days to maturity

About 85 days

Planting & harvest windows

Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.

Good companions

• 
  Bush Bean

  Beans fix nitrogen the heavy-feeding corn needs and climb the corn stalks for support.

• 
  Squash

  Squash shades the soil around corn, conserving moisture and smothering weeds (Three Sisters).

• 
  Cucumber

Keep apart from

• 
  Tomato

  They share the corn earworm / tomato fruitworm pest. Planting together amplifies infestations.

Recommended varieties

• Silver Queen

  90 daysseed

  Sweet white kernels. A southern classic.

• Honey Select

  80 daysseed

  Sugary-enhanced yellow corn, very sweet.

• Peaches & Cream

  85 daysseed

  Bi-color sweet corn with great flavor.