How to Grow How Sweet It Is Corn
Wikimedia Commons
How Sweet It Is Corn
Zea mays
vegetableHow Sweet It Is is a popular sweet corn variety known for its exceptional sweetness and tender kernels. This hybrid corn produces medium-sized ears with excellent flavor and a long harvest window. It's a favorite among home gardeners and farmers' market growers for its consistent quality and disease resistance.
When should you plant How Sweet It Is Corn in your zone?
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Example How Sweet It Is Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant How Sweet It Is Corn
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 How Sweet It Is Corn
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact How Sweet It Is Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; can grow in zones 2-10 with proper timing
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Germination & Emergence
7-10 days to emergence, 2-3 weeks to establishmentSeeds sprout and first shoots emerge from soil; cotyledons and first true leaves appear
Keep soil warm (60°F+) and consistently moist. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Protect from birds and cutworms.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple leaves and strong root system; visible leaf collar and V-stage growth (V4-V8 visible leaf collars)
Apply nitrogen fertilizer when plants are 12-18 inches tall. Keep weed-free through cultivation. Monitor for early pests. Water consistently.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksMale tassel emerges from top; female silks protrude from ear shoot nodes; pollination occurs when silks emerge
Ensure consistent water supply (critical stage). Do not disturb plants during pollination. Provide adequate nitrogen. Stake tall varieties if windy.
Grain Fill & Milking
2-3 weeksKernels swell and fill with starch; silks brown and dry; ears feel heavier; kernels at milk stage release milky fluid when punctured
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Continue regular watering. Watch for pest damage to ears. Avoid excessive nitrogen.
Maturity & Harvest Ready
Harvest window 2-4 weeks depending on conditionsKernels reach full size and firmness; silks turn brown and papery; husks pale and slightly loose; kernels in dough to dent stage
Stop supplemental watering. Check ear development regularly. Pick at peak sweetness when kernels are plump and juice releases as milk, not water.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Monitor silks and leaf damage; use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray at tassel/silk stage; plant resistant varieties; remove infested stalks
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Apply mineral oil to ear silk tips 5-7 days after silking; use Bt sprays; handpick larvae; remove and destroy infested ears
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Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe; maintain adequate moisture to reduce stress
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Monitor for yellowing leaves; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Create cardboard collars around seedlings; use diatomaceous earth; apply nematodes to soil; handpick at night
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and
Install fencing; use bird netting; electric fence for raccoons; harvest promptly at peak ripeness
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryHow Sweet It Is is prized for fresh consumption boiled, grilled, or raw in salads. Its superior sweetness and tender kernels make it ideal for corn on the cob, corn salads, soups, and side dishes. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryThe variety freezes exceptionally well, retaining sweetness and texture for up to 8 months when blanched and properly stored. Ideal for home preservation and year-round enjoyment. [source]
Cornmeal and flour production
HouseholdMature, dried kernels can be ground into cornmeal or flour for baking, polenta, and traditional recipes. This requires allowing ears to fully dry on the stalk. [source]
Wildlife feeding and habitat
WildlifeDried cobs and leftover stalks provide excellent habitat and food for birds and small mammals. The corn cob has secondary uses as mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel. [source]
Corn silk traditional remedies
MedicinalCorn silks (stigmas) have been used in traditional medicine as herbal teas for diuretic and antioxidant properties, supporting kidney and urinary tract health. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks are brown and dry, husks pale and slightly loose, and kernels release milky juice when punctured (milk stage). This is the peak of sweetness. Pick in early morning for best taste. Twist ear sharply downward and pull from stalk. Use immediately or refrigerate up to 3 days; blanch and freeze for longer storage. How Sweet It Is has an extended harvest window, allowing multiple pickings over 2-3 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 How Sweet It Is corn stays sweeter longer after harvest than many varieties because of its genetics; the plant has low enzyme activity that converts sugars to starch, maintaining peak flavor for several days when refrigerated.
- 🌱 Corn pollen is heavy and wind-pollinated; for best seed set in small gardens, plant in blocks rather than single rows to ensure adequate pollen cloud distribution.
- 🌱 The 'three sisters' agricultural technique—planting corn with beans and squash together—dates back over 1,000 years and remains one of the most efficient companion planting systems; corn provides structure for beans to climb while beans fix nitrogen for corn.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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