How to Grow Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream
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Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream
Zea mays subsp. mays
vegetableSupersweet Honey & Cream is a bicolor sweet corn variety featuring creamy white and golden yellow kernels on the same cob. This hybrid corn combines exceptional sweetness with tender texture, making it a popular choice for fresh eating and farmers' markets. The variety typically grows 7-8 feet tall and matures relatively quickly for a supersweet type.
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Example Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream
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 Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream
Around Jun 26≈ 70 days after planting
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, prefers warmer climates (zones 5-8 are ideal)
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Get my Maize, Supersweet Honey & Cream timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Emergence
7-10 daysSeeds sprout and first shoots break through soil. Single leaf emerges, followed by rapid leaf development. Plant appears fragile with thin shoots.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Ensure soil temperature is 60°F or higher for reliable germination. Thin seedlings to proper spacing if direct seeding. Protect from birds and rodents.
Vegetative Growth
30-40 daysPlant develops multiple leaves in a characteristic whorl pattern. Rapid height growth occurs; plant can reach 2-4 feet tall. Root system strengthens. No visible reproductive structures yet.
Provide consistent nitrogen fertilization every 3-4 weeks. Side-dress with nitrogen when plant reaches 12-18 inches. Ensure adequate water (1 inch per week minimum). Monitor for weeds and cultivate carefully to avoid root damage. Apply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Tassel & Silk Development
7-10 daysTassel (male flower) emerges from top of plant. Silks (female flower stigmas) emerge from ear husks. Plant reaches full height (7-8 feet). Flowering occurs.
This is the critical water stage—maintain consistent 1-1.5 inches per week. Do not let soil dry out, as it dramatically reduces kernel development. Do not cut or remove tassels (they pollinate silks). Watch for pollen shedding and silk emergence timing.
Pollination & Kernel Development
12-15 daysPollen from tassel falls onto emerging silks, triggering fertilization. Each fertilized silk develops into one kernel. Ears fill from base upward with developing kernels. Silks turn brown as pollination completes.
Maintain excellent soil moisture; this is when kernels develop and fill. Continue fertilizing if soil is poor. Brown silks indicate successful pollination. Protect from strong winds that can interfere with pollen distribution.
Milk to Harvest Maturity
18-25 daysKernels fill with milky sap that becomes thicker and creamier. Kernels plump and take on full color (white and yellow for this variety). Husks turn brown. Kernels become tender and sweet.
Reduce watering slightly but keep soil from drying completely. Test for maturity by pressing a kernel with fingernail—milky juice (for immature) to creamy juice (for prime harvest). Pick ears when husks are moist and fresh-looking, before kernel starch develops. Harvest in morning for best flavor and texture.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick affected ears, apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when silks first emerge, use pheromone traps to monitor populations, plant resistant varieties
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Inspect ears regularly, apply Bt at whorl stage, use spinosad for heavy infestations, encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps
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Remove and destroy affected stalks, apply Bt at appropriate timing, use resistant varieties, bury crop residue in fall to eliminate overwintering larvae
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Row covers when plants are young, spinosad spray for severe infestations, encourage predatory birds
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Strong water spray to dislodge, neem oil spray, insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Hand-pick in early morning, use pheromone traps away from plantings, neem oil, encourage natural predators
Uses
Fresh Eating & Grilling
CulinarySupersweet Honey & Cream is prized for fresh consumption, boiled, grilled, or roasted whole. The bicolor kernels and exceptional sweetness make it a premium table corn for summer meals and entertaining. [source]
Corn Salads & Fresh Preparations
CulinaryThe tender kernels are excellent raw in salads, salsas, and cold corn dishes. The natural sweetness requires minimal added sugar compared to starchy field corn varieties. [source]
Freeze & Preserve
HouseholdBlanch and freeze kernels or whole ears for winter use. The high sugar content and tender texture make it superior to field corn for freezing and preserving. [source]
Corn Chowder & Soups
CulinaryThe creamy kernel texture and sweetness enhance soups, chowders, and purees. The tender kernels break down well when cooked, creating a naturally rich base. [source]
Wildlife Food Source
WildlifeMature corn provides autumn food for wild birds and deer. Leave unharvested stalks for wildlife habitat and food into fall and winter months. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks turn brown and ears feel full and firm. Test maturity by pressing kernel with thumbnail—should release milky juice at peak eating stage. Ears are best harvested in the morning when moisture content is highest, ensuring maximum sweetness and tenderness. Pick by grasping ear firmly and twisting downward, or use a sharp knife to cut from stalk. Use immediately or refrigerate; sweetness declines rapidly as sugars convert to starch. For optimal flavor, eat within 1-2 hours of harvest.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Supersweet corn varieties like Honey & Cream contain 2-3 times more sugar than traditional yellow corn, with sugars that convert to starch more slowly, maintaining sweetness longer after harvest compared to standard varieties.
- 🌱 The bicolor appearance (white and yellow kernels) is achieved through selective breeding combining two different kernel color genes, creating both aesthetic appeal and flavor complexity.
- 🌱 Corn is a heavy nitrogen feeder that can extract 100+ pounds of nitrogen per acre from soil; rotating with legumes or adding compost helps restore soil fertility for future plantings.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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