How to Grow How Sweet It Is
Zea mays 'How Sweet It Is'
How Sweet It Is is a popular sweet corn variety prized for its tender kernels and reliable performance in warm gardens. Gardeners choose this hybrid for its disease resistance and ability to produce high-quality ears consistently throughout the summer season.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting How Sweet It Is: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — How Sweet It Is is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors immediately after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. 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 about one inch deep; they typically germinate within seven to twelve days once temperatures are suitable.
Space plants eight to ten inches apart in rows to ensure good air circulation. Provide consistent moisture, as corn requires high water levels especially during pollination. Apply a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and feed the plants regularly with balanced fertilizer to support rapid growth up to eight feet tall.
Watch for pests like corn earworms and Japanese beetles, treating infestations early with organic controls. Prevent fungal issues such as northern corn leaf blight by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest ears when husks turn yellow and silks dry out, usually 87 to 92 days after planting.
When to Plant How Sweet It Is
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 How Sweet It Is
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, classic Three Sisters companion
Benefit from corn's wind protection and shade during hot weather
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn pests like aphids
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with strong scent
Act as trap crop for aphids and squash bugs, repel corn borers
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen to benefit corn
Attract beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which is toxic to corn and inhibits growth
Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, attract similar pests like corn earworm
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
