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Sweet Corn Growing Methods

Sweet corn growing methods for 2012 and 2013.

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Updated:

March 23, 2023

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Photo: Tim Elkner, Penn State

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Site and Production system

Planting date

Row spacing (inches)

In-row spacing (inches)

Irrigation

Fertility

Western:
Bare ground

6/6/2012

5/21/2013

8–10

Overhead
sprinkler during
establishment

2012: 57 lb/acre N,
131 lb/acre P₂O₅,
69 lb/acre K₂O
applied preplant;
30 lb/acre N,
137 lb/acre P₂O₅,
36 lb/acre K₂O
banded at planting,
57.5 lb/acre N
sidedressed

2013: 38 lb/acre N,
38 lb/acre P₂O₅,
38 lb/acre K₂O applied

Central:
Bare ground

6/1/2012

6/1/2013

8–10

Drip irrigation system; supplemented natural
rainfall to apply
1 acre-inch
of water weekly

2012: 50 lb/acre N,
46 lb/acre P₂O₅
broadcast preplant;
K₂O not applied
based on
soil test results

2013: 50 lb/acre
N broadcast preplant;
P₂O₅ and K₂O
not applied
based on
soil test results

Southeastern:
Bare ground

5/21/2012

5/30/2013

8–10

Drip irrigation system; applied 1 acre-inch
of water weekly

2012: 150 lb/acre N,
115 lb/acre P₂O₅,
60 lb/acre K₂O
applied preplant

2013: 100 pounds of N, 160 lb/acre P₂O₅,
160 lb/acre K₂O applied preplant

At all sites, we managed pests following recommendations in the Mid-Atlantic Commercial Vegetable Recommendations guide. All sites had silt loam soils. We harvested ears when all plants in a plot reached maturity. Ears were categorized as marketable or unmarketable, counted, and weighed.

Reference: Pennsylvania Statewide Synergistic Sweet Corn Cultivar Evaluation.

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