How to Grow Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen
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Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen
Zea mays subsp. saccharata
vegetableStowell's Evergreen is a classic sweet corn variety prized for its tender, milky kernels and exceptional flavor. This late-season cultivar produces tall plants with large ears and maintains its sweetness longer after harvest than many other varieties. It has been a gardener's favorite since its introduction in 1848.
When should you plant Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen in your zone?
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Example Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen
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 Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Sweet Corn - Stowell's Evergreen dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows best with warm soil temperatures and long growing seasons
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-10 days in warm soil (70°F+). Seedlings emerge with thick primary leaf and rapid root development. Plants grow 4-8 inches tall.
Ensure soil temperature reaches 60°F minimum, 70°F+ ideal. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin to proper spacing once plants have 2-3 leaves. Protect from birds and cutworms.
Vegetative Growth
4-5 weeksPlants develop 6-10+ leaves and grow vigorously, reaching 6-8 feet tall. Root system expands, and side shoots may develop. Plants form tillering with multiple shoots from base.
Apply mulch 2-3 inches deep to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Side-dress with balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) at 6-8 inch height. Remove lower unproductive shoots if overcrowded. Stake tall varieties in windy areas.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksMale tassel emerges at plant top; female silks appear from ear shoot nodes. Plants reach full height (7-9 feet for Stowell's). Pollen release begins, and silks lengthen to catch pollen.
Critical watering stage—provide 1-1.5 inches weekly. Do NOT allow soil to dry out. Fertilize again if growth appears slow (high-nitrogen or balanced formula). Monitor for pest pressure, especially spider mites and corn borers.
Ear Development & Kernel Maturation
2-3 weeksKernels develop within husks and fill with milk (soft starch stage). Silks brown and dry out. Ears reach full size, feeling full and plump when gently squeezed.
Maintain consistent watering through milk stage. Once silks fully brown and dry, gradually reduce watering. Check ear readiness by piercing kernel—milky juice indicates peak sweetness. Protect ripening ears from raccoons and birds.
Harvest & Maturity
Harvest window: 1-2 weeks at peakEars reach peak sweetness at milk stage. Kernels are tender, plump, and release milky juice when pierced. Husks remain green and snug around ear.
Harvest in early morning when sugar content is highest. Snap or cut ears cleanly from stalk. Consume or process immediately—sugar converts to starch rapidly. For succession planting, plant new crops every 2-3 weeks.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Plant trap crops (soybeans). Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) at silking. Harvest early before larvae damage kernels. Handpick affected ears.
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Remove and destroy infested stalks. Apply Bt at tasseling and again 5-7 days later. Use pheromone traps for monitoring. Rotate crops annually.
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Spray foliage with water to dislodge mites. Increase humidity. Apply miticide if severe. Plant resistant varieties when possible.
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage natural predators (ladybugs, lacewings). Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Install electric fencing around plot. Harvest at milk stage when still safe from complete crop loss. Plant trap patches away from main garden.
Uses
Fresh eating and cooking
CulinaryStowell's Evergreen kernels are exceptionally tender and sweet, ideal for steaming, boiling, grilling on the cob, or cutting kernels for salads, soups, and side dishes. The variety's late-season maturity and extended flavor retention make it superior for fresh market and home use. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryThe high sugar content and firm kernel structure make Stowell's Evergreen excellent for blanching and freezing. Kernels maintain quality for 8-12 months in the freezer and are ideal for soups, stews, and casseroles. [source]
Corn husks and cobs
HouseholdDried husks are used for corn husk dolls, tamale wrappers, and craft projects. Cobs can be ground for use as mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel. Whole dried ears are decorative. [source]
Wildlife and pollinator support
WildlifeThe tall plants provide structure and shelter for beneficial insects and birds. Tassels and silks attract pollinators. Mature ears left unharvested provide food for wildlife in fall and winter. [source]
Corn silk tea
MedicinalDried corn silks (stigmas) are brewed into a traditional herbal tea used to support urinary and kidney health, with mild diuretic properties. Fresh silks contain potassium and antioxidants. [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 at milk stage—pierce kernel with thumbnail; milky, sweet juice should squirt out. This occurs 20 days after silking appears. Harvest in early morning (6-9 AM) when sugar content peaks. Snap ears perpendicular to stalk, twisting gently. Do not harvest when wet; disease spreads more easily. Refrigerate immediately or process within hours to preserve sweetness. Stowell's Evergreen maintains quality longer than earlier varieties (3-5 days if properly chilled), justifying its name 'Evergreen' for extended harvest window.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Stowell's Evergreen was introduced in 1848 by Nathaniel Stowell of New Jersey and remains one of the most widely grown sweet corn varieties worldwide, treasured for living up to its name by staying sweet longer than early-season varieties.
- 🌱 A single corn plant can produce 1-2 (occasionally 3) harvestable ears due to its design: energy is invested in height and tassel production rather than multiple large ears, making it a classic but lower-yield variety compared to modern hybrids.
- 🌱 Corn plants are monecious (having both male and female flowers) and rely on wind pollination—a single stalk produces millions of pollen grains from the tassel, and each kernel requires an individual silk to be pollinated; poor kernel set indicates incomplete pollination.
Gardening Terms
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