How to Grow Ambrosia
Zea mays 'Ambrosia'
Zea mays 'Ambrosia' is a warm-season corn variety known for its reliable yield and disease resistance. Gardeners cultivate this hybrid for its sturdy growth habit and ability to withstand common foliar issues like rust and leaf blight.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Ambrosia: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Ambrosia is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last frost; do not start indoors or transplant seedlings as corn develops a sensitive root system that struggles with disturbance.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. Since this is a warm-season crop sensitive to frost, sow seeds directly outdoors only after the last spring frost when the ground has warmed up. Plant seeds about 1 inch deep; they typically germinate within 7 to 12 days.
Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart in rows to ensure proper air circulation. Provide consistent moisture, as this variety requires high water levels throughout its growth cycle. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stalks.
Monitor for corn earworm, European corn borer, birds, and raccoons; use row covers or netting to protect developing ears. Watch for Stewart's wilt, gray leaf spot, and southern corn leaf blight despite good resistance. Harvest the ears 75 to 80 days after sowing when kernels are fully mature.
When to Plant Ambrosia
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | October – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | August – September |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | July – September |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | June – August |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | June – July |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – June |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – June |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – June |
Companion Plants for Ambrosia
✓ Good companions
Fixes nitrogen in soil for corn, corn provides natural trellis for climbing beans
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize corn borers and other harmful insects
Repels corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds
Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn borers
Attracts beneficial insects like tachinid flies that prey on corn earworms
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes the Three Sisters planting
Attracts beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests, similar growing requirements
Ground cover that attracts hover flies and other beneficial insects that control aphids
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and development
Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, corn earworm also attacks tomatoes
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
