How to Grow Peaches and Cream
Zea mays var. saccharata 'Peaches and Cream'
Peaches and Cream corn offers a sweet, bi-colored kernel perfect for fresh eating or popping. Gardeners value this warm-season variety for its reliable yield and ease of cultivation in sunny gardens.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Peaches and Cream: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Peaches and Cream is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors immediately after the last frost date once soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently for germination.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 to support root development. As a warm-season crop, sow seeds directly outdoors only after the last spring frost when the ground has warmed up. Plant seeds about one inch deep; they typically sprout within six to ten days under ideal conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart in rows to ensure good air circulation and light exposure. While corn does not require trellising, keep soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds, feeding regularly if growth seems sluggish.
Watch for pests like corn earworms and raccoons; use row covers or netting to protect developing ears from birds and insects. Monitor for diseases such as Stewart's bacterial wilt by ensuring proper drainage and crop rotation. Harvest the sweet kernels approximately seventy-five to eighty-three days after planting when they are fully mature.
When to Plant Peaches and Cream
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 Peaches and Cream
✓ Good companions
Repels aphids, corn borers, and other pests that target corn
Fix nitrogen in soil which corn needs, while corn provides support structure
Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control corn borers
Benefits from corn's shade during hot weather, maximizes garden space
Deter corn earworms, aphids, and nematodes with their strong scent
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, keeping them away from corn
Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, part of Three Sisters planting
Attract beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which inhibits corn growth and can cause stunting
Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders competing for same nutrients, attract similar pests
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
