Sweet corn is a luxury that many smaller gardens simply cannot accommodate, leaving tiny garden patches and rooftop gardens sadly devoid of these tasseled wonders. Fortunately, a few lesser-known varieties of dwarf sweet corn require significantly less space than the traditional varieties, including "Golden Midget," "Midget Hybrid" and "White Midget." These varieties of corn grow no more than 5 feet tall, making them easy to work into the landscape, even if there is no formal space for them in the garden.
Take several samples of the soil where you intend to plant your corn several months before planting time. Submit the samples to your university extension service for a detailed soil analysis. Wait for the test to return with soil amendment recommendations to prepare the bed -- corn is a heavy feeder, so starting with proper nutrition is crucial.
Rototill the bed about 8 inches deep two months before planting. Incorporate abundant amounts of compost if planting in heavy, poorly draining soils. Work the recommended fertilizer into the soil. Submit a new soil sample to your university extension for testing six to eight weeks after preparing the bed to ensure everything is incorporated and the bed is ready for planting.
Plant corn directly in the soil in March for an early crop, or as late as July for late-season crops. Space dwarf sweet corn about 6 inches apart in rows about 3 feet wide, no more than 1 inch deep. Plant at least two short rows together for proper pollination (unless you intend to hand-pollinate).
Provide the corn with at least 1 inch of water each week, more during pollination and the final stages of ear development. Check the soil periodically to ensure that it is moist at least 6 inches deep so the corn receives plenty of moisture to its roots.
Mulch around each corn plant to smother weeds. Continue heaping mulch to about 3 inches deep as the corn grows. Pull weeds as they appear.
Watch for silk strands to appear on the end of the ears of your dwarf corn. Harvest the corn about 20 days after you see them, once the silk strands are just starting to dry and brown. Snap the corn from the stalk by bending it at a sharp angle. Plow under the dried stalks after harvest.
Things You Will Need
- Corn cross-pollinates best when planted in 10-foot squares. If you're willing to hand-pollinate your corn plants, they can grow into interesting, but temporary, screens.
- Be generous with the water while the corn ears are developing, but do not water so much that the soil becomes soggy. Too much water is as damaging as too little.
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension: Growing Vegetables in Containers
- University of California Cooperative Extension: Sweet Corn Production in California
- University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Corn Planting
- University of California Good Life Garden: Corn
- University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service: Growing Sweet Corn in Home Gardens
- University of Georgia: Growing Home Garden Sweet Corn
- Univeristy of Arkansas Extension: Sweet Corn
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