How to Grow Country Gentleman
Zea mays 'Country Gentleman'
Country Gentleman is a classic heirloom corn variety known for its reliable yield and sweet kernels. Gardeners grow this tall stalk for fresh ears in summer salads or dried cobs for winter storage.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Country Gentleman: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Country Gentleman is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0 to support root development. As a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground is thoroughly warm before sowing directly outdoors. Plant seeds 1 inch deep in rows spaced 36 inches apart; germination typically occurs within 7 to 12 days.
Space plants 8 to 10 inches apart within their respective rows to ensure proper airflow and growth. These tall stalks do not require trellising but benefit from consistent moisture, especially during pollination. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to retain soil water and feed the crop regularly with nitrogen-rich fertilizer as it grows.
Watch for corn earworms, borers, rootworms, and birds which can damage ears; use row covers or netting for protection. Fungal issues like rust and smut may appear in humid conditions, so ensure good air circulation. Harvest the ears 90 to 100 days after planting when kernels are fully mature and hard.
When to Plant Country Gentleman
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | — | July – August | November – August |
| Zone 2 | — | June – August | October – September |
| Zone 3 | — | June – July | October |
| Zone 4 | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | February – April | June – August |
| Zone 11 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 12 | — | January – March | May – July |
| Zone 13 | — | January – March | May – July |
Companion Plants for Country Gentleman
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Utilize vertical space efficiently and benefit from corn's wind protection
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn borers and other pests
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repels squash bugs
Break up compacted soil and deter corn borers when planted early
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and development
Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn attracts tomato fruitworm
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
