How to grow sweet corn in a raised bed

Corn picked minutes before dinner is a different vegetable to anything from a shop. It's a hungry, thirsty crop, and a raised bed's rich mix suits it — just plant it in a block, not a row.

Quick facts

• Position: full sun, 6+ hours
• Spacing: 30 cm apart, in a block
• Tub depth: our 35 cm depth
• Time to harvest: 12–16 weeks

When to plant: Sweet corn is frost-tender — plant from spring through summer once it's warm. Our free planting calendar shows the right months for your postcode.

Growing them in a raised bed: Plant in a block of short rows rather than one long row — corn is wind-pollinated, and a block sets fuller cobs. Sow directly into warm, rich mix.

Watering and feeding: Corn is thirsty and hungry — water deeply and consistently, especially as the cobs fill, and feed well. A raised bed holds the moisture and nutrients they need.

Common pests: keep an eye out for caterpillars, cutworms and aphids. Most are easily managed — see our safe pest guide.

Common diseases: the main ones are rust. Good airflow, morning watering and steady moisture prevent most.

Companion plants: Beans and pumpkins are the traditional 'three sisters' companions; beans even feed the corn. See our companion planting guide.

Harvest and storage: Pick when the silks have browned and a squeezed kernel runs milky, not clear. Eat it as fresh as you can — the sugars turn to starch within hours.

Plan your patch: our free planting calendar shows what to plant now where you live. Ready to grow? Browse our raised garden beds or build your own with the garden bed builder.

Image: Rasbak, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.