How to Plant Sweet Corn in Hills

Corn may be planted in hills to keep the roots from becoming waterlogged.

Corn comes in many varieties, ranging from feed corn to popcorn. But when you say the word corn, most people in the United States think of sweet corn. Sweet corn differs from field corn by one gene. This gene makes sweet corn contain more sugar. Sweet corn is grown primarily to be eaten from the cob, in kernel form or cooked into creamed corn. The corn is planted in hills to keep the roots from becoming waterlogged.

Things You'll Need

• Rake
• Hoe
• Corn kernels

Instructions

1. Plant sweet corn when the soil temperature warms to 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Rake up a hill of soil that is approximately 3 feet taller than the surrounding soil with a rake or hoe. Space each hill 3 feet apart.

3. Create four to five holes for corn kernels that are spaced 3 inches apart in each hill.

4. Place the corn kernel at a point two to three times deeper in the soil than the kernel at its widest point. Cover the kernel with soil. Water the hill until the soil is as damp as a wrung-out sponge. The corn will sprout in approximately five days.

Tips & Warnings

• Watch your corn once it is planted. As the corn grows, thin the surviving corn plants to one plant per hill by pulling out the weaker plants.

References

• Iowa State University Extension: Sweet Corn
• University of Missouri Extension: Growing Sweet Corn in Missouri
• Iowa State University Extension: Sweet Corn -- An Iowa Summertime Treat

Resources

• Mississippi State University Extension: Vegetable Gardening in Mississippi