- Botanical name: Zea mays
- Common name: Sweetcorn
- Family: Poaceae
- Plant Type: Vegetable
Green
Believed to have been first cultivated in Mexico, sweetcorn, Zea mays, was introduced into Europe in the 16th century and soon became a staple crop. Its deliciously sweet cobs can be barbecued to eat hole or boiled with the kernals separated to add to dishes. There are many sweetcorn varieties, ripening early, mid-season or late, and are therefore suited to different parts of the UK.
Grow Zea mays in blocks rather than in rows, to ensure full wind-pollination. It needs full sun, in moist but well-drained, fertile, preferably acid or neutral soils. Tassels at the ends of cobs turn black as an indication of ripeness.
How to grow Zea mays
-
Plant size
1.5m height
60cm spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Half hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
J
Do not Sow in January |
F
Do not Sow in February |
M
Do Sow in March |
A
Do Sow in April |
M
Do not Sow in May |
J
Do not Sow in June |
J
Do not Sow in July |
A
Do not Sow in August |
S
Do not Sow in September |
O
Do not Sow in October |
N
Do not Sow in November |
D
Do not Sow in December |
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
J
Do not Harvest in January |
F
Do not Harvest in February |
M
Do not Harvest in March |
A
Do not Harvest in April |
M
Do not Harvest in May |
J
Do not Harvest in June |
J
Do not Harvest in July |
A
Do Harvest in August |
S
Do Harvest in September |
O
Do not Harvest in October |
N
Do not Harvest in November |
D
Do not Harvest in December |
Zea mays and wildlife
Zea mays has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Zea mays poisonous?
Zea mays has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
Plants that go well with Zea mays
