How to Grow Incredible
Zea mays var. saccharata 'Incredible'
Zea mays var. saccharata 'Incredible' is a sweet corn variety prized for its sugary flavor and reliable performance in warm climates. Gardeners grow it to enjoy fresh, tender ears directly from the garden while benefiting from strong resistance against common leaf diseases.
Starting Incredible: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Incredible is not usually started indoors.
This variety is direct-sown outdoors immediately after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.2 and 6.8 to ensure healthy root development. As a warm-season crop, you must plant seeds only after the last frost when the ground has warmed up significantly. Sow seeds directly into the garden at a depth of about one inch; they typically germinate within five to eight days under these conditions.
Space plants eight to ten inches apart in rows to allow proper air circulation and ear formation. Provide consistent moisture throughout the growing season, as this corn variety requires high water levels for optimal kernel development. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, while avoiding heavy fertilization once tasseling begins.
Monitor for pests like corn earworms, European corn borers, birds, and raccoons by using netting or physical barriers early in the season. Prevent fungal issues such as common smut and rust through good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest ears approximately eighty-five to ninety days after sowing when kernels are milky and firm.
When to Plant Incredible
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 Incredible
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize corn borers and other pests
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with strong scent
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, deters corn earworm
Break up compacted soil and may deter corn borers when interplanted
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn
Attracts hover flies and other beneficial insects that control aphids
✗ Keep away from
Release juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and development
Allelopathic compounds inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, tomato hornworms may spread to corn
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
