How to Grow Silver King
Zea mays 'Silver King'
Silver King is a popular heirloom variety of corn known for its sweet kernel flavor and reliable performance in home gardens. Gardeners value this crop for its high yield potential and resistance to Stewart's wilt, making it an excellent choice for fresh eating or grain production.
📷 Wikipedia: MaizeStarting Silver King: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Silver King is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors immediately after the last frost date; do not start indoors or transplant young seedlings as corn roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare loose, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 before sowing. As a warm-season crop, plant seeds directly outdoors only after the last spring frost has passed and the soil is consistently warm. Sow seeds about one inch deep in rows or hills; germination typically occurs within seven to ten days under ideal conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart within rows to ensure proper air circulation and root development. Maintain consistent moisture levels, as corn requires high water availability during pollination and kernel fill. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stalks.
Watch for common pests like earworms and rootworms, which can be managed with row covers or hand-picking early in the season. Monitor for diseases such as northern corn leaf blight by ensuring good airflow between plants. Harvest ears approximately eighty-five to ninety days after planting when kernels are fully mature and milky.
When to Plant Silver King
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 Silver King
✓ Good companions
Repels thrips and aphids, may enhance corn growth through root interactions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn needs, corn provides natural trellis support
Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that control corn borers and aphids
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with natural compounds
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial predatory insects
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies that prey on corn pests
Ground cover suppresses weeds, retains soil moisture, part of Three Sisters planting
Attract beneficial insects and birds, provide windbreak protection
✗ Keep away from
Releases juglone toxin that inhibits corn germination and stunts growth
Allelopathic compounds inhibit corn growth and development
Both heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn can shade tomatoes excessively
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
