How to Grow Silver Queen
Zea mays 'Silver Queen'
Silver Queen corn is a popular sweet corn heirloom prized for its tender kernels and silvery husks. Gardeners grow this variety to enjoy fresh summer harvests while adding vibrant height and texture to their vegetable gardens.
📷 Wikimedia CommonsStarting Silver Queen: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Silver Queen is not usually started indoors.
Direct sow seeds outdoors 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, as corn thrives in warm conditions. Since this is a warm-season crop, you must wait until after the last spring frost when the ground has warmed up before sowing directly outdoors. Plant seeds about one inch deep; they typically germinate within seven to ten days under these ideal temperature conditions.
Space plants eight to twelve inches apart in rows thirty-six inches wide to ensure proper air circulation and sunlight access. Provide consistent moisture, as this variety requires high water levels throughout its growth cycle. Apply mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling it against the stalks.
Watch for pests like corn earworms and Japanese beetles, which can be managed with row covers or hand-picking. Prevent diseases such as common rust by ensuring good airflow and avoiding overhead watering. Harvest ears ninety-two to ninety-four days after planting when the kernels are milky and plump.
When to Plant Silver Queen
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 Silver Queen
✓ Good companions
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, part of traditional Three Sisters planting
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn borers and other corn pests
Benefits from corn's shade during hot weather, efficient use of garden space
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and other harmful insects with strong scent
Trap crop for cucumber beetles and aphids, protect corn from pest damage
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen that benefits corn growth
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn stalks
Provides ground cover and weed suppression, completes the Three Sisters companion trio
✗ Keep away from
Release juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and can cause stunting or death
Corn's allelopathic compounds can stunt growth of cabbage, broccoli, and related crops
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn attracts tomato fruitworm
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
