How to Grow Bi-color Corn Jubilee
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Bi-color Corn Jubilee
Zea mays
vegetableBi-color Corn Jubilee is a sweet corn variety featuring kernels that are a striking combination of yellow and white on each ear. This hybrid cultivar matures in the mid-season range and produces full-sized ears with excellent sweetness and tender texture. It's a popular choice for home gardeners and farmers markets due to its attractive appearance and consistent quality.
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Example Bi-color Corn Jubilee timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Bi-color Corn Jubilee
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Bi-color Corn Jubilee
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Bi-color Corn Jubilee dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; optimal in zones 5-8
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Germination & Seedling
1-2 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-10 days; first leaves emerge and plants are 2-4 inches tall
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Protect from birds and cutworms. Thin seedlings if they emerge too densely.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksRapid leaf expansion; plants grow to 24-36 inches; roots deepen and widen
Apply mulch to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Side-dress with nitrogen fertilizer when plants are 12-18 inches tall. Keep weeds controlled. Provide support if windy.
Tasseling
1-2 weeksMale flowers (tassels) emerge from the top of the plant; height reaches 5-7 feet; female silks appear from ear nodes
Maintain consistent, deep watering; this is critical for kernel development. Ensure good air circulation to reduce disease. Monitor for insects. Do not remove tassels.
Silking & Pollination
2-3 weeksSilks protrude from ear husks and elongate; pollen from tassels falls onto silks; kernels begin to form
Water deeply and regularly—stress during this stage reduces kernel set and size. Minimize foot traffic near plants. Protect from wind if possible to aid pollination.
Kernel Fill & Harvest Ready
2-3 weeksKernels fill with starch and liquid endosperm, turning milky when pressed; silks turn brown; husks tighten
Continue consistent watering until silks dry completely. Reduce watering slightly as ears mature. Check for harvest readiness; silk color and kernel stage indicate peak sweetness.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray at silk emergence; use pheromone traps; hand-pick affected ears; encourage natural predators.
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Remove and destroy plant debris in fall; use pheromone traps; apply Bt spray; plant resistant varieties when possible.
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Spray with water to dislodge; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with water; apply neem oil or miticide if severe; thin dense foliage for air circulation.
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Hand-pick; apply Bt spray; use pheromone traps; till soil in fall to destroy pupae.
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and
Install sturdy fencing (8+ feet for deer); use electric fencing; install motion-activated sprinklers; plant at distance from field edges.
Uses
Fresh eating and boiling
CulinaryBi-color Corn Jubilee is prized for fresh consumption, boiled with butter and salt, grilled, or roasted. The attractive bi-color kernels make it visually appealing for serving whole. [source]
Corn salads and sides
CulinaryKernels can be cut off the cob and added to salads, salsas, soups, and side dishes. The sweet flavor complements Mexican, Mediterranean, and summer cuisine. [source]
Canning and preservation
HouseholdCorn can be frozen, canned, or freeze-dried to preserve the harvest. Fresh kernels retain excellent quality when frozen within hours of harvest. [source]
Wildlife food source
WildlifeCorn provides food for birds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Some gardeners leave a small plot unharvested to support local fauna. [source]
Ornamental and decorative use
CraftThe attractive bi-color ears make striking display pieces for fall harvest decorations, dried corn wreaths, and seasonal arrangements. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks turn brown and dry, husks are tight, and kernels release milky liquid when pressed with a fingernail (approximately 20 days after silking). Pick ears in early morning for maximum sweetness. Twist and pull ears downward at a 45-degree angle. Use within 24 hours for peak sweetness, or refrigerate immediately. Test 1-2 ears for ripeness before harvesting the entire crop.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Bi-color corn gets its striking appearance from a combination of genes that control kernel pigmentation; each cob has both yellow and white kernels arranged in a natural pattern.
- 🌱 Sweet corn is harvested at the 'milk stage' of kernel development, which contains higher sugar content than field corn varieties; sugar begins converting to starch immediately after harvest, which is why fresh corn tastes best within hours of picking.
- 🌱 Corn is one of the Three Sisters of Native American agriculture, planted together with beans (which climb the stalks) and squash (which spreads along the ground and shades roots) in a mutually beneficial companion planting system that has been used for over 3,000 years.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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