How to Grow Golden Bantam
Zea mays var. saccharata 'Golden Bantam'
Golden Bantam is a beloved heirloom sweet corn variety prized for its tender, sugary kernels and reliable yield. Gardeners choose this easy-to-grow crop to enjoy fresh summer ears in the garden or at local farmers markets.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Golden Bantam: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Golden Bantam is not usually started indoors.
This variety is direct-sown only; do not start seeds indoors as cold soil shock will damage young corn plants.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. As a warm-season crop, you must plant seeds directly outdoors only after the last spring frost when the ground is thoroughly warm. Sow seeds about one inch deep; they typically germinate within seven to twelve days under these ideal conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart in rows spaced three feet wide to ensure good air circulation. Provide consistent moisture throughout the growing season, as corn requires high water levels for proper kernel development. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stalks.
Watch for pests like corn earworms, borers, rootworms, raccoons, and birds; use row covers or netting to protect developing ears. Prevent common smut, bacterial wilt, and leaf blight by rotating crops and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest the sweet, tender kernels seventy-five to eighty-five days after planting when the husks turn yellow.
When to Plant Golden Bantam
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 Golden Bantam
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, classic Three Sisters combination
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn borers and other pests
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel squash bugs
Use corn stalks as natural support while fixing nitrogen
Attract beneficial insects and can serve as natural corn supports
Attracts hoverflies and other beneficial insects that control aphids
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain moisture, completes Three Sisters planting
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and development
Compete heavily for nutrients and may stunt corn growth through root competition
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, attract similar pests like hornworms
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
