How to Grow Stowell's Evergreen Corn
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Stowell's Evergreen Corn
Zea mays
vegetableStowell's Evergreen is a classic sweet corn variety known for its exceptionally tender, sweet kernels and extended harvest season. This late-season cultivar produces tall stalks with large ears that remain in prime eating condition longer than most varieties. It has been a gardener's favorite since its introduction in 1848 and remains popular for fresh eating and freezing.
When should you plant Stowell's Evergreen Corn in your zone?
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Example Stowell's Evergreen Corn timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Stowell's Evergreen 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 Stowell's Evergreen Corn
Around Jul 16≈ 90 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Stowell's Evergreen Corn dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; can grow in zones 2 and 9 with adjusted timing
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Germination & Seedling
2-3 weeksSeeds sprout within 7-10 days. Seedlings emerge with initial leaves, developing into small plants with 2-4 leaves.
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin seedlings to proper spacing once they have 2-3 true leaves. Protect from birds and cutworms with row covers if needed.
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant grows rapidly, developing additional leaves and establishing a strong root system. Stalks become taller (6-8 feet for Stowell's) with side shoots sometimes appearing.
Apply nitrogen fertilizer when plants are 12-18 inches tall. Weed regularly to reduce competition. Provide support if plants are in windy locations. Side-dress with compost.
Tasseling & Silking
2-3 weeksThe tassel (male flowers) emerges from the top of the stalk; silks (female flowers) extend from the ear husks. This is the critical pollination stage.
Ensure consistent, deep watering—this stage is critical for kernel development. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizer as it reduces ear formation. Do not disturb plants during silking to allow pollen to fall naturally.
Grain Filling & Maturation
3-4 weeksKernels fill out and develop their sweet character. Silks dry and brown. The 'blister' stage progresses to 'milk stage' where kernels contain milky liquid when pierced.
Continue consistent watering. Monitor for pests and diseases. The milk stage is peak sweetness—this is the optimal harvest time for Stowell's Evergreen.
Dough & Hard Dent Stage
2-3 weeksKernels progress from soft dough to harder texture as moisture decreases. For Stowell's, even later harvest doesn't significantly impact sweetness due to the variety's long harvest window.
If storing for seed, allow ears to fully mature and dry on the stalk. For fresh eating, harvest within the milk stage window. Begin harvest from the bottom ears up.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Use Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) spray when silks appear. Plant resistant varieties. Hand-pick affected ears. Encourage parasitic wasps.
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Apply Bt when moths are active. Remove and destroy infested stalks. Use pheromone traps to monitor populations. Proper sanitation of crop residue.
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Remove and destroy infected kernels/galls before they burst. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilization. Ensure good air circulation. Practice crop rotation.
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Monitor with pheromone traps. Use Bt spray. Remove heavily infested plants. Encourage beneficial insects like parasitic flies.
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Hand-pick in early morning. Use row covers before silking. Apply neem oil. Encourage predators like parasitic wasps and ground beetles.
Uses
Fresh Sweet Corn
CulinaryStowell's Evergreen is prized for fresh eating due to its exceptional sweetness and tender kernels. The extended harvest window allows for prolonged fresh consumption directly off the ear or in salads and side dishes. [source]
Freezing & Preservation
CulinaryThis variety is ideal for home freezing and preservation due to its consistent quality and ability to retain sweetness during the extended harvest. The kernels remain tender and flavorful months after freezing. [source]
Cooking & Prepared Dishes
CulinaryVersatile in the kitchen for boiling, grilling, steaming, and incorporation into soups, succotash, chowders, and corn puddings. The kernels maintain their texture and sweetness through various cooking methods. [source]
Dried Corn Crafts & Decorations
HouseholdMature dried ears and kernels can be used for fall decorations, dried corn projects, and crafts. The husks have historical use in corn-husk dolls and traditional crafts. [source]
Wildlife Food Source
WildlifeCorn provides excellent food for wildlife including birds, squirrels, and deer when left unharvested. Leaving some ears in the field supports beneficial wildlife populations. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest ears when silks have turned brown and the ear feels full and slightly damp. Pierce a kernel with your fingernail—milky liquid indicates peak sweetness. Stowell's Evergreen maintains quality longer than earlier varieties, with ears remaining in the milk stage for 7-10 days. Harvest in the morning when sugars are highest. Twist ears down and off the stalk. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 3-4 days; freeze within hours for best quality.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Stowell's Evergreen was introduced in 1848 by Nathaniel Stowell of New Jersey and has remained one of the most reliable and beloved sweet corn varieties for over 175 years.
- 🌱 The variety earned its 'Evergreen' name because the kernels remain in the milk stage (prime eating condition) longer than other varieties, extending the harvest window by a week or more.
- 🌱 A single corn plant produces male flowers (tassel) and female flowers (silks) on the same plant, making corn monoecious; proper pollen distribution requires planting in blocks rather than single rows.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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