How to Grow Maize, Supersweet Providence
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Maize, Supersweet Providence
Zea mays
vegetableSupersweet Providence is a high-sugar corn variety bred for exceptional sweetness and tenderness, ideal for fresh eating and freezing. This cultivar produces medium-sized ears on plants reaching 6-7 feet tall and represents the pinnacle of sweet corn breeding. The kernels retain their sweetness longer after harvest than standard sweet corn varieties.
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Example Maize, Supersweet Providence timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Maize, Supersweet Providence
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 Providence
Around Jul 1≈ 75 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Maize, Supersweet Providence dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; grows best in zones 4-8 with warm, frost-free summers
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Get my Maize, Supersweet Providence timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
1-2 weeksEmergence of first shoots and development of primary leaves; plants 4-8 inches tall
Keep soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings if direct sowing; thin to proper spacing once plants are 4-6 inches tall. Watch for cutworms and apply collars if needed.
Vegetative
4-6 weeksRapid growth of leaves and stems; plants develop 6-12 leaves and establish strong root systems; 12-36 inches tall
Provide consistent nitrogen fertilization every 3-4 weeks. Water deeply and regularly. Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Begin sidedressing with compost or balanced fertilizer at 6-8 inches height.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksDevelopment of male flower (tassel) at top and female flowers (silks) emerging from ear nodes; 4-7 feet tall with full canopy
Critical moisture period—ensure 1-1.5 inches water weekly. Avoid overhead watering to reduce disease. Pollination depends on wind; adequate spacing and block planting ensures good kernel set. Apply final nitrogen fertilization early in this stage.
Grain Fill & Milky Stage
2-3 weeksKernels develop and fill with starch; silks brown and dry; kernels exude milky liquid when squeezed
Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Monitor for pest activity. Supersweet varieties reach peak sweetness at milk stage; kernels are tender and juicy. Check ears every 2-3 days for optimal harvest timing.
Harvest Maturity
3-7 days harvest windowKernels mature and lose milky liquid; husks begin drying; kernels reach dough to early dent stage for supersweet varieties
Harvest when silks are brown, husks bright green, and kernels firm but still plump. For maximum sweetness, harvest in early morning. Use immediately or refrigerate within 2 hours to preserve sugars.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray at tasseling; plant resistant varieties; remove and destroy infected plant material; practice crop rotation
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Apply mineral oil to silks after pollination; use Bt sprays; handpick larvae; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings; direct water spray to dislodge colonies
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Use paper collars around seedlings; apply diatomaceous earth around base; apply spinosad at soil level in early evening
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Increase humidity and water spray; use sulfur dust or neem oil; encourage natural predators
Uses
Fresh sweet corn on the cob
CulinarySupersweet Providence kernels are exceptionally sweet and tender, ideal for boiling, grilling, or steaming. The high sugar content makes them excellent for eating fresh or raw. [source]
Corn soup and bisque
CulinaryThe kernels can be creamed into luxurious soups and bisques, with the natural sweetness enhancing flavor without added sugar. The milk and cob can also be used for stock. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinarySupersweet varieties retain their sweetness better than standard corn when frozen, making them ideal for long-term storage. Blanch, cool, and freeze kernels or whole ears. [source]
Corn cob mulch and bedding
HouseholdGround corn cobs make excellent mulch for gardens and paddocks, improving soil structure while providing slow nutrient release. They are also used as livestock bedding. [source]
Food source for birds and small mammals
WildlifeMature corn provides nutritious seeds and shelter for songbirds, squirrels, and other wildlife. Leaving some ears unharvested supports fall and winter wildlife populations. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks turn dark brown and husks are bright green and pliable; kernels should be full and plump, exuding milky juice when pierced with thumbnail. Supersweet varieties are at peak sweetness in the milky stage (days 20-22 after silking). Harvest in early morning for maximum sugar content. Refrigerate immediately—sugar converts to starch at room temperature. Use within 24-48 hours for best flavor. Ears are ready for 7-10 days but quality declines rapidly after peak.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Supersweet corn varieties contain 2-3 times more sugar than standard sweet corn varieties and maintain that sweetness longer after harvest because of a mutation that slows starch conversion.
- 🌱 Corn pollen must be carried by wind from tassels (male flowers) to silks (female flowers); a single ear can develop 400-600 kernels from successful pollination.
- 🌱 Maize (corn) was domesticated from teosinte in Mesoamerica over 9,000 years ago and is now the world's most produced grain crop, with over 1 billion tons harvested annually.
Gardening Terms
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