Baby Corn

Baby Corn is hard to find fresh, but can be easy to grow! This fancy corn seen in Asian restaurants is entirely edible and a productive grower, growing 4-8 ears about 3-6-inches long per stalk. Harvest within 5 days of silks emerging to stimulate more growth. Known for its sweet, delicate flavor and crunchy texture, Baby Corn adds a touch of gourmet flair to your kitchen, making it ideal for a variety of Asian-inspired dishes, as well as for grilling or pickling. Pick early to add these small, tender ears of corn to stir-fries, salads, and soups for a nutty, delicate flavor, and subtle crunch. Its fast-growing nature means you’ll enjoy a bountiful harvest in just a few weeks. Baby Corn also requires minimal space, making it ideal for smaller gardens, containers, or raised beds, so even urban gardeners can enjoy growing this unique crop. This variety of Baby Corn is dual-purpose; if ear are left to fully mature and dry, its white kernels have the special corn gene that allow its kernels to be popped to make delicious white popcorn.

Corn is one of the plants grown in the traditional Native American vegetable technique called the Three Sisters. The other two plants in the Three Sisters are beans and squash, and each has its role in the companion planting tradition. Corn serves as a support for the vining beans. Squash served as a ground cover, preventing weeds from growing. Beans provided natural fertilizer for all.

Also Known As: Cornlets, Immature Corn, Chinese Baby Corn, Asian Corn, White Baby Corn, Japanese Hulless, White Popcorn Seed.

Plant Name:	Sweet Corn, Baby
Latin Name:	Zea mays
Days to Germinate:	10-14
Days to Harvest:	40
Plant Height:	6 - 8 Feet
Spread:	2 - 3 Feet
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	4-9
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Corn grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 15 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

For small gardens, corn is best planted in square blocks instead of long rows to improve cross-pollination between corn stalks.

Planting:

Corn are best direct-sown because they often don’t transplant well. Plant corn outdoors in spring when soil temperatures warm to at least 65F. To plant, make holes 2 inches deep and spaced 8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 1 seed per hole. Plant 2-3 seeds if choosing to thin to the strongest plant. When thinning, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting.

Planting Depth:	2 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	15 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Keep corn plants watered, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils.

A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once corn plants reach 4-6 inches tall, you may optionally apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. A second round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be applied to plants when they reach 12-18 inches tall. Then a final round of nitrogen-rich fertilizer can be applied during the tasseling stage, just before ears silks emerge. Read and follow fertilizer instructions for best application. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Baby Corn is the immature cob of the corn plant. The plant's female flowers produce it, and, unlike the mature corn cobs, it is harvested when it is only a few inches long before it has had a chance to be pollinated. To harvest baby corn, wait until the ears are still young and the kernels are not fully developed, typically around 50 to 60 days after planting. The ears should be about 2 to 4 inches long and covered with their husks, but before the kernels start to swell or mature. Gently peel back the husks to check the size of the kernels - they should be tender and not yet formed. To harvest, use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the ears off the plant, taking care not to damage the main stalk or other developing ears. Once harvested, baby corn is best eaten fresh, the same day it has been picked.