How to Grow Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days
Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days
Zea mays subsp. saccharata
vegetableHeavenly Days is an early-maturing supersweet corn variety known for its exceptional sweetness and tender kernels that retain their flavor longer after harvest than standard sweet corn. This variety produces medium-height stalks with 2-3 ears per plant and is ideal for home gardeners seeking quick-maturing crops in short-season areas. The kernels have a creamy, delicate texture and maintain their sugary taste for extended periods due to enhanced shrunken-gene characteristics.
When should you plant Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days in your zone?
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Example Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days
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 Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9; particularly excellent for zones 2-6 due to early maturity (60-70 days)
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Get my Supersweet Corn Heavenly Days timeline →Growth Stages
Germination & Seedling
10-14 daysSeeds sprout within 7-10 days in warm soil; first leaves emerge with visible coleoptile. Seedlings develop 2-3 true leaves and establish shallow root system.
Keep soil at 70-85°F for optimal germination. Thin seedlings to 8-inch spacing when 2-3 inches tall. Protect from birds and cutworms with row covers or barriers.
Vegetative Growth
20-25 daysPlant develops 6-10 leaves; rapid height increase to 3-4 feet. Root system deepens and expands. Visible leaf whorls and strong, sturdy stalks form.
Apply balanced fertilizer when plants are 12 inches tall; apply again at knee-high stage. Ensure consistent watering—critical for kernel development. Side-dress with compost. Monitor for early pest pressure.
Flowering & Tasseling
7-10 daysTassel emerges from top of stalk; silks appear from ear shoots shortly after. Pollen is shed from tassel onto silks for pollination. Plant reaches full height (3.5-4.5 feet).
Maintain consistent soil moisture—critical during this stage to prevent kernel abortion. Apply final nitrogen fertilizer. Ensure adequate spacing for air circulation to reduce disease. Hand-pollinate if poor wind conditions occur.
Silking & Kernel Development
15-20 daysSilks elongate and begin to dry; kernels fill from base to tip of ear. Kernels transition from watery to milk stage, then to dough stage. Supersweet variety shows characteristic creamy, tight kernel arrangement.
Continue consistent watering—this is the most critical period for yield and kernel quality. Do not allow soil to dry out. Maintain weed control. Stop watering once silks have dried completely.
Physiological Maturity & Harvest-Ready
5-7 daysKernels reach milk-to-dough stage; silks turn brown and dry; husks turn from green to lighter tan. Kernels appear plump and full with slight denting on top (supersweet kernels may not show dent). Ear feels firm and full when squeezed gently.
Harvest immediately when silks are brown and kernels are at milk-dough stage—do not wait for full dent stage with supersweet varieties. Check kernels by piercing with thumbnail; milky juice should appear. Store in cool conditions immediately to maintain sweetness.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Apply Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) when silks emerge; use pheromone traps; remove affected ears manually. Plant earlier to avoid peak pest pressure.
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Use Bt applications; inject mineral oil into ear tips at first silk; remove infested stalks; plant trap crops like sorghum nearby.
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Hand-pick larvae; apply Bt spray; use row covers; encourage natural predators like parasitic wasps.
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap; plant reflective mulches; encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
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Hand-pick beetles in early morning; use pheromone traps away from corn; apply neem oil; encourage birds.
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Use cardboard collars around seedlings; apply Bt to soil; encourage ground beetles; remove debris.
Uses
Fresh sweet corn on the cob
CulinaryHeavenly Days produces exceptionally tender, creamy kernels with high sugar content and reduced corn flavor, making it ideal for steaming, boiling, grilling, or eating raw. The supersweet genetics mean the sugars remain stable longer after harvest compared to standard varieties. [source]
Corn soups, salads, and side dishes
CulinaryThe tender kernels are perfect for corn chowder, creamed corn, corn salads, and as a versatile side dish. The natural sweetness requires minimal additional sugar in recipes. [source]
Freezing and preservation
CulinaryThe superior sweetness and texture make Heavenly Days excellent for freezing for later use. Blanch, cut kernels from cob, and freeze in airtight containers for up to 8 months with minimal loss of quality. [source]
Corn cobs and stalks
HouseholdDried cobs can be used as mulch, animal bedding, or biofuel. Stalks make excellent garden mulch and compost material, recycling nutrients back into the soil. [source]
Wildlife food source
WildlifeUnharvested ears and kernels left in the field provide natural food for birds and small mammals. Cornstalk shelter also benefits overwintering insects and beneficial predators. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when silks are fully brown and dry and kernels are at the milk-to-dough stage (approximately 20-24 days after silking). Test by piercing a kernel with a thumbnail—milky liquid should flow freely; avoid over-mature stage when liquid becomes starchy. Pick ears early in the morning when sugar content is highest. Twist and pull ear downward sharply to detach from stalk. Use fresh immediately or refrigerate to preserve sweetness; supersweet corn loses sweetness over time, so consume within 1-2 days for best flavor.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Heavenly Days is an early-maturing supersweet variety specifically bred to reach full sweetness in 60-70 days, making it one of the fastest-maturing sweet corn varieties available and ideal for gardeners with short growing seasons or those seeking quick harvests.
- 🌱 Supersweet corn varieties like Heavenly Days use a recessive shrunken kernel gene (sh2) that increases sugar content to 15-25% of kernel dry matter versus 5-7% in standard sweet corn, resulting in a noticeably creamy, delicate texture and prolonged sweetness after harvest.
- 🌱 Unlike standard sweet corn, supersweet varieties must be isolated from other corn varieties by at least 250 feet during flowering to prevent cross-pollination, which would reduce sweetness in both varieties; planting in blocks rather than single rows also improves pollination success.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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