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How to Grow Candy Corn Country Gentleman

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Candy Corn Country Gentleman

Zea mays var. saccharata

vegetable

Country Gentleman is a classic sweet corn variety featuring long, slender ears filled with sweet, tender kernels arranged in a distinctive irregular pattern rather than straight rows. This heirloom variety is prized for its exceptional flavor and creamy texture, making it a favorite for fresh eating and freezing.

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Example Candy Corn Country Gentleman timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Candy Corn Country Gentleman

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Candy Corn Country Gentleman

    Around Jul 16

    ≈ 90 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Candy Corn Country Gentleman dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, minimum 6-8 hours daily; prefers 8+ hours for best production
💧
Water: Consistent moisture; 1-1.5 inches per week through rainfall or irrigation. Critical water needs during tasseling and silking stages (3-4 weeks before and during ear development). Avoid waterlogging.
📏
Spacing: 8 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 90-100 days
🌱
Planting depth: 1-1.5 inches

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with good organic matter
pH: 6.0-6.8
Amendments:
Compost Well-rotted manure Balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) Nitrogen at planting and side-dress mid-season

Growing Zones

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Thrives in zones 3-8; grows well in zone 2-9 with proper timing

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

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Growth Stages

1

Seedling

7-10 days

Emergence of first leaves from soil; single stem with light green coloring

Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing (8 inches apart) when 3-4 inches tall. Protect from cutworms with collars or row covers.

2

Vegetative Growth

30-40 days

Rapid leaf and stalk development; plant grows 2-3 feet tall with deepening green color

Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer when plants reach 12 inches tall. Maintain consistent moisture. Watch for weeds and cultivate carefully to avoid root damage. Provide support if in windy locations.

3

Tasseling & Silking

15-20 days

Male flower tassel emerges from top; female silks emerge from developing ears; plant reaches 5-7 feet

Critical moisture period—provide 1.5 inches water weekly. This is the most important stage for ear development. Apply mulch to retain soil moisture. Side-dress second application of fertilizer if needed.

4

Ear Development & Filling

20-25 days

Ears enlarge rapidly; kernels fill out and develop sweet flavor; silks dry and brown

Maintain consistent watering (critical for kernel development). Monitor for pests and diseases. Kernels should reach full size and show milk stage (white, milky substance when pressed).

5

Harvest Readiness

3-7 days peak window

Ears reach full size; kernels fully plump and tender; silks brown and dry; husk may show slight yellowing

Begin daily or every-other-day harvest checks once silks dry. Harvest immediately when ears reach peak sweetness (milk stage). Store promptly or process for freezing to preserve flavor.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Beans Peas Squash Pumpkin Cucumber Lettuce Radish Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower) Fennel Tomato Potato

Common Pests

  • Install pheromone traps; apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray weekly after silking; apply mineral oil to silk entry points; plant trap crops like legumes nearby

  • Hand-pick early morning; use pheromone traps away from plants; apply neem oil or insecticidal soap; encourage beneficial insects

  • Apply Bt spray; use row covers on young plants; remove affected leaves; maintain garden cleanliness

  • Plant resistant varieties if available; apply Bt spray; remove and destroy infested stalks; till soil in fall to destroy pupae

  • Use collars around seedlings; handpick at night; apply Bt; maintain weed-free areas; use beneficial nematodes

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply miticide if severe; improve humidity; encourage predatory insects

Uses

🍳

Fresh Eating & Cooking

Culinary

Country Gentleman corn is exceptional for boiling, grilling, or roasting fresh. Its creamy texture and superior sweetness make it ideal for corn on the cob, corn salads, succotash, and as a side dish. [source]

🍳

Freezing & Preservation

Culinary

This variety freezes exceptionally well, retaining flavor and texture for months. Blanch and freeze kernels or whole ears to enjoy through winter. [source]

🍳

Corn Products

Culinary

Kernels can be used for creamed corn, corn pudding, cornbread, polenta, and other corn-based dishes. The irregular kernel arrangement makes it excellent for visual appeal in dishes. [source]

🏠

Dried Ornamental Use

Household

Mature ears with husks can be dried for fall decorations, dried corn crafts, and corn cob uses (mulch, livestock bedding, biofuel). [source]

🦋

Bird & Wildlife Food

Wildlife

Mature ears left in the garden provide food for birds and wildlife. Dried kernels can be offered to backyard birds. [source]

Harvest Tips

Harvest at the milk stage when kernels are fully developed but still tender—press a kernel with your fingernail and milky juice should appear. Ears are ready 20-24 days after silking appears. Check every 1-2 days as the peak window is short (3-5 days). Gently pull ears downward and twist to detach from stalk. Harvest in early morning for best flavor and sweetness. Use immediately or refrigerate; sweet corn loses flavor rapidly after harvest. For best taste, cook or freeze within a few hours of picking.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Country Gentleman is an heirloom variety dating back to the 1890s, still highly prized for superior flavor compared to modern commercial hybrids.
  • 🌱 The irregular, random arrangement of kernels on Country Gentleman ears (rather than straight rows) is characteristic of this variety and actually makes it easier to remove kernels when cooking.
  • 🌱 Sweet corn's sugars begin converting to starch immediately after harvest, which is why 'pick and cook within hours' advice is emphasized—Country Gentleman at peak harvest can lose 50% of its sweetness within 24 hours if not refrigerated.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch Row Cover
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