Keter Manor Outdoor Apex Double Door Garden Storage Shed (6 x 8ft)
A durable and stylish beige and brown garden storage shed perfect for storing garden tools, equipment, bikes, and outdoor essentials. Weather-resistant, low maintenance, and ideal for any garden or allotment setup.
🌱 Compost & Soil Improvers
Give your garden beds a boost before winter with compost and organic matter.
Shop Compost & Soil Improvers
🌿 Autumn Plant Feed & Fertiliser
Prepare your soil for autumn planting with suitable fertilisers and soil nutrients.
Browse Garden Fertilisers
🥬 Seed Trays & Propagation Kits
Keep growing through autumn by starting suitable hardy crops under cover.
Shop Seed Trays
How to Grow Sweetcorn from Seed
How to Grow Sweetcorn from Seed: Step-by-Step Guide
Growing sweetcorn (Zea mays) from seed is deeply rewarding—you’ll get to enjoy the freshest, sweetest cobs right from your own garden. If you’re new to growing corn, don’t worry: with the right soil, warmth, and a bit of space, almost anyone can do it.
Choosing Your Seeds
- Variety: Pick a sweetcorn variety suited to your climate and growing season. Look for “sugar-enhanced” or “super-sweet” types for the best results.
- GMO Note: Most home garden sweetcorn seeds are non-GMO—just check the seed packet if you’re unsure.
When to Sow
- Start Indoors: About 2–3 weeks before your last expected frost date.
- Direct Sow: After all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm—ideally 10°C/50°F or warmer.
Sowing Indoors
- Fill small pots or modules with multipurpose compost.
- Place one seed per pot, about 2cm deep.
- Water gently. Keep in a warm place (about 18–21°C/65–70°F).
- Seedlings emerge in 7–10 days.
Planting Outdoors
- Site Selection: Full sun and shelter from strong winds are essential.
- Soil Prep: Work in plenty of organic matter for moisture and nutrients.
Direct Sowing:
- Create blocks (not single rows!) for best pollination—e.g., 3×3 or 4×4 blocks.
- Sow seeds 2–3cm deep, 20–25cm apart. Leave 40–50cm between rows/blocks.
- Water well.
Caring for Your Sweetcorn Seedlings
- Hardening Off: If started indoors, acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions over a week.
- Transplant: Move to final position when plants are 10–15cm tall and the risk of frost has passed.
Top Tips for Successful Sweetcorn
- Block Plant: Always grow sweetcorn in blocks, not single rows—for proper wind pollination.
- Water Deeply: Especially as plants flower and set cobs.
- Mulch: Help the soil stay moist and weed-free.
- Feed: Apply compost or balanced fertilizer every 2–3 weeks.
Common Mistakes
- Planting in rows rather than blocks (poor pollination).
- Sowing in cold, wet soil (seeds may rot).
- Under-watering during cob formation.
When to Expect Harvest
Depending on variety, you’ll harvest your first sweetcorn cobs about 12–18 weeks after sowing. Check for fat, filled-out ears—kernels will squirt milky juice when pressed.
Ready for the Next Step?
Once your seedlings are growing strong, learn how to transplant, water, and feed your sweetcorn for the best harvest ever in our next guide!