🌱 How to Grow Sweetcorn from Seeds

Common Names:

• Hindi: मीठा मकई (Meetha Makai)

• Tamil: இனிப்புக் கார்ன் (Inippu Corn)

• Telugu: స్వీట్ కార్న్ (Sweet Corn)

• Malayalam: മധുര മക്ക (Madhura Makka)

• Kannada: ಸಿಹಿ ಮಾವಿನ ಹಣ್ಣು (Sihi Maavina Hannu)

• English: Sweetcorn / Maize

• Botanical name: Zea mays

1. Choose the Right Season

• Warm-season crop

• Best time to sow: March to June (spring to early summer)

• Needs frost-free, warm weather to thrive

2. Prepare the Soil

• Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile loamy soil

• pH Level: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Enrich soil with compost or well-rotted manure

3. Sow the Seeds

• Sow seeds directly in garden or large containers

• Depth: Sow seeds 1–1.5 inches (2.5–3.8 cm) deep

• Spacing: 8–12 inches between plants, 24–30 inches between rows

• Water gently after sowing

4. Watering

• Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy

• Water deeply once or twice a week depending on weather

• Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds

5. Germination

• Seeds germinate in 7–10 days under warm conditions

• Thin seedlings to keep the strongest plants

6. Sunlight & Temperature

• Needs full sun (6–8 hours daily)

• Optimal temperature: 21°C to 30°C (70°F to 86°F)

7. Fertilization

• Apply compost or balanced fertilizer at planting

• Side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer when plants are 8–12 inches tall

• Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive leaf growth

8. Pest Control

• Common pests: Corn borers, aphids, armyworms

• Use neem oil sprays or organic insecticides if necessary

• Keep area weed-free and practice crop rotation

9. Harvesting

• Ears mature in 70–100 days after sowing

• Harvest when silks turn brown but husks are still green

• Check kernels by peeling back husk slightly—should be plump and milky

10. Regrow Tip

• Save seeds from fully mature, dry ears

• Dry seeds thoroughly before storing for next season

• Sweetcorn is typically grown as an annual crop

🌿 Health Benefits of Sweetcorn

• Rich source of dietary fiber and antioxidants

• Contains vitamins B & C, magnesium and potassium

• Supports digestive health and energy metabolism

• Gluten-free and a good source of complex carbohydrates