Imagine biting into a sweet, juicy ear of corn, freshly picked from your own backyard. That taste of summer perfection is within reach! But before you can enjoy that homegrown bounty, you face a crucial first step: choosing the right corn seed. It can feel overwhelming. Do you pick sweet corn, popcorn, or field corn? Should you choose hybrid or open-pollinated varieties? Many gardeners struggle with these choices, worried about wasted space or a disappointing harvest.
Selecting the wrong seed means less flavor and fewer ears for your table. We understand that frustration! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down everything you need to know about corn seeds for your home garden. You will learn the differences between popular types and discover which variety thrives best in your soil and sunlight.
Keep reading to unlock the secrets to a successful corn patch this season. By the end, you will confidently select the perfect seeds, setting the stage for the most delicious corn harvest you have ever grown!
Top Corn Seed For Home Garden Recommendations
- GROW THE SWEETEST, MOST TENDER HEIRLOOM CORN - Each packet contains 100 seeds of Golden Bantam corn (Zea mays). This cherished variety is known for its exceptional flavor and reliable harvests. Perfect for home gardeners seeking authentic, time-tested varieties.
- SWEET CORN SEEDS FOR BEGINNERS & PROS. These vegetable seeds for planting outdoors are ideal for all skill levels. Hardy and adaptable, they thrive in full sun and a variety of soils. With low-maintenance care, enjoy growing your own corn seeds from a trusted heirloom variety loved for its sweet, tender kernels.
- PERFECT FOR MOST REGIONS – COOL CLIMATE FRIENDLY. Designed to grow in USDA zones 3-11, these corn seeds are resilient and adapt to temperatures from 65°F to 95°F. Direct sow seeds outdoors for best results—no transplanting needed. Your garden will be filled with tall, healthy stalks reaching up to 6 feet.
- MATURES EARLY FOR QUICK HARVESTS. Enjoy a bountiful crop in just 75-80 days. Each Golden Bantam stalk produces 1-2 ears of corn with 8-12 kernel rows. Perfect for backyard gardens or homesteads, it’s a reliable, fast-growing option to maximize your gardening efforts.
- VERSATILE CULINARY USES – FRESH OR PRESERVED. Grill, boil, or add to recipes like chowder, cornbread, and salsa. These sweet corn seeds yield kernels that freeze, can, or dry well, letting you enjoy homegrown corn all year round. A perfect addition for both fresh meals and long-term storage.
- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Bantam Sweet Corn seeds (Zea mays). Open-pollinated heirlooms produce two or more ears of sweet golden corn per stalk. Each ear has 8 rows of golden kernels. Minimum of 13g per packet (about 50 seeds).
- Productive - Sweet corn germinates in 7-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 6-8” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 20-24” tall with a spread of 6-12”. Corn will mature in 60-100 days, plant in USDA zones 5-7.
- Good Eats - The beautiful golden kernels are tender and have a sweet old-fashioned flavor. Delicious as a side or in recipes.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family. Like your garden, we run on sunshine from our solar panels.
- 🌽 Sweet Bodacious flavor! Bodacious RM Hybrid Sweet Corn is magnificent! Fantastic addition to your home garden! Seeds will grow into full size corn plants with stalks yielding delicious Yellow Corn. Deliciously Sweet & Tender Kernels: Bodacious RM corn delivers plump, golden ears bursting with rich, sugary flavor. Perfect for grilling, boiling, or enjoying fresh off the cob, this variety is a must-have for home gardeners and summer cookouts.
- 💦 So fun having corn in your own backyard! Great for that missing dinner side dish! Seeds are great for Planting in Garden or for storing in a seed safe for emergency. High Germination & Easy Growth: With a 90% germination rate, these non-GMO seeds ensure strong, healthy plants that produce uniform ears. Plant in full sun after the last frost, provide consistent moisture, and enjoy a bountiful harvest in just a few months.
- ☀️ Annual. 80 days. 60-72" plant height. 4-6" spacing. Produces 5-7" ears with yellow kernels.
- 🌎 USDA Zones: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Latin Name: Zea mays Type: Hybrid, Warm Season
- 📷 Please post pictures of your corn plants in a review! - Isla's Garden 👩🌾
- GROW THE SWEETEST, MOST TENDER HEIRLOOM CORN - 100 seeds of Golden Bantam corn (Zea mays). This cherished variety is known for its exceptional flavor and reliable harvests. Perfect for home gardeners seeking authentic, time-tested varieties.
- SWEET CORN SEEDS FOR BEGINNERS & PROS. These vegetable seeds for planting outdoors are ideal for all skill levels. Hardy and adaptable, they thrive in full sun and a variety of soils. With low-maintenance care, enjoy growing your own corn seeds from a trusted heirloom variety loved for its sweet, tender kernels.
- PERFECT FOR MOST REGIONS – COOL CLIMATE FRIENDLY. Designed to grow in USDA zones 3-11, these corn seeds are resilient and adapt to temperatures from 65°F to 95°F. Direct sow seeds outdoors for best results—no transplanting needed. Your garden will be filled with tall, healthy stalks reaching up to 6 feet.
- MATURES EARLY FOR QUICK HARVESTS. Enjoy a bountiful crop in just 75-80 days. Each Golden Bantam stalk produces 1-2 ears of corn with 8-12 kernel rows. Perfect for backyard gardens or homesteads, it’s a reliable, fast-growing option to maximize your gardening efforts.
- VERSATILE CULINARY USES – FRESH OR PRESERVED. Grill, boil, or add to recipes like chowder, cornbread, and salsa. These sweet corn seeds yield kernels that freeze, can, or dry well, letting you enjoy homegrown corn all year round. A perfect addition for both fresh meals and long-term storage.
- 【Sweetness Balanced】100 Golden Bantam corn (Zea mays) seeds, renowned for their exceptional flavor and consistent yields, are ideal for home gardeners.
- 【Suit for All Skill Levels】Sweet corn seeds are suitable for both beginners and experienced growers. Hardy and adaptable, they thrive in full sun and a wide range of soil conditions.
- 【Easy to Care】Disease-resistant and adaptable, most common pests have minimal impact, easy-to-grow choice for reliable harvests.
- 【Versatile Use】Enjoy it roasted, cooked, or added to recipes like soups, cornbread, and salad, allowing you to enjoy the corn year-round. It's a great choice for fresh and long-term storage.
- 【Plant Tips】The seeds designed for USDA zones 3-11, grow in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F, the best seeding time is after the last frost. Enjoy a bountiful harvest in just 75-80 days, fast-growing variety.
- 🌽 Early Sunglow Hybrid corn seeds were developed to be earlier than other types of corn, and became well known for its vibrant, golden color. The stalks grow to be between four and six feet tall, which makes this a little shorter variety than others. The Early Sunglow Hybrid provides six to seven inch ears. This strain of corn may take up to 60-70 days to maturity. Delivers classic, golden kernels with a tender bite and pleasantly sweet flavor.
- 🌞 This warm-season annual thrives in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil, producing sturdy stalks that perform reliably in garden rows, raised beds, and compact garden spaces once soil temperatures have warmed.
- 💦 Annual. 60-70 days. - Planting Depth: 1-2" - Plant Spacing: 4" - Row Spacing: 30" - Growth Habit: Upright - Full Sun
- 🌱 With proper spacing and steady moisture, plants produce uniform ears and dependable early yields, allowing gardeners to enjoy delicious, homegrown corn weeks before many standard varieties reach maturity.
- 💧 Enjoy exceptional versatility in the kitchen—Early Sunglow is ideal for eating fresh off the cob, grilling with butter, cutting into salads and salsas, or adding sweetness to seasonal side dishes and casseroles.
- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Blue Hopi Corn (Zea mays) seeds. Gorgeous blue-black ears with reddish-purple tassels will be a standout in your summer garden! Minimum of 13 g per packet (about 45 seeds).
- Productive - Corn germinates in 7-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 8-12” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 5-6’ tall with a spread of 1-2’. Ears will mature in 75-100 days, plant in USDA zones 3-12.
- Versatile - Drought-tolerant and high-yielding, this cultivar is vigorous and performs well even in harsh conditions. Young ears can be eaten fresh, but flour made from mature Blue Hopi ears creates exceptionally tasty blue corn tortillas, chips and cornbread. You can also use the unique blue corn on the cob as a fall decoration!
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Our operation is fully solar powered, and Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family.
- Zea mays - Open pollinated Golden Bantam Sweet Corn grows well in warmer temperatures from 75-90F. Each ear is filled with plump, juicy, bright yellow kernels that taste sweet and delicious on the plate.
- Keep the sun in mind when choosing a site for your corn crop! Corn stalks grow 6-8 feet and can block sun from, or provide shade for , neighboring plants. For best results harvest corn when ears turn dark green, silks go brown, & kernels plump with milk-like juice.
- Premium Packaging - All seeds from The Old Farmer’s Almanac are packaged in individually styled packets ideal for gifts, storage or immediate use. Each packet displays the flower, vegetable, plant or herb variety on the front with instructions and plant facts on the back.
- Packet Contents - Each 20 Gram packet contains approximately 75 premium, open pollinated, non-GMO, heirloom vegetable seeds. (See photos on this page of packet and contents.)
- Freshly Packed - These seeds are packed for the current growing season and will provide high germination rates next year as well.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Corn Seed for Your Home Garden
Growing your own sweet corn is a rewarding experience. Freshly picked corn tastes amazing! This guide helps you select the right seeds for a successful harvest.
Key Features to Look For in Corn Seed
When you buy corn seeds, check these important features. They tell you a lot about what you are planting.
- **Variety Type:** Corn comes in three main types: Sweet Corn (for eating fresh), Field Corn (mostly for livestock feed), and Popcorn. For your home garden, you want **Sweet Corn**.
- **Maturity Time:** This tells you how long it takes from planting to picking. Look for days to maturity. Shorter times (like 60-70 days) are great for quick harvests. Longer times (80+ days) might produce bigger ears.
- **Kernel Color:** Do you want classic yellow, bright white, or a mix (bicolor)? Choose the color your family loves most.
- **Disease Resistance:** Good seeds list resistance codes (like Pm for mildew). Resistant varieties are tougher and need less care.
Important Materials: Understanding Seed Packets
The seed packet is your most important tool. It contains vital information about the seed itself.
Corn seeds are living things. Good seeds are **viability tested**. This means the company checked how many seeds will actually sprout. High viability means you plant fewer seeds for the same number of plants.
Always check the **packaging date**. Newer seeds sprout better. Old seeds might not grow at all. Store unused seeds in a cool, dry place until next season.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Seed Quality
The quality of your final corn crop depends heavily on the starting seed and how you treat it.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- **Hybrid Seeds (F1):** These seeds often grow stronger plants with higher yields. They are bred to resist common problems.
- **Heirloom Seeds:** These seeds allow you to save seeds from your best plants year after year. They offer unique flavors.
- **Proper Storage:** Seeds kept dry and cool maintain high quality for a long time.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- **Poor Germination Rate:** If the seed quality is low, many seeds fail to sprout. You waste space and time.
- **Inconsistent Pollination:** Corn needs wind to move pollen between the tassels (top) and the silks (ear tips). Planting in small, single rows reduces successful pollination, leading to “tip-back” (ears that are only partly filled).
- **Planting Too Early:** Planting seeds when the soil is too cold stops them from growing well. Cold, wet soil can cause the seeds to rot before they sprout.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the corn influences your seed choice.
If you have a small space, choose **compact varieties** or those labeled for container gardening. These plants stay shorter.
For the best taste, gardeners often plant two or three different maturity dates about two weeks apart. This practice, called **succession planting**, gives you a continuous harvest instead of all the corn ripening at once.
If you are new to gardening, select beginner-friendly varieties known for being reliable producers. Avoid overly specialized types initially.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Corn Seed
Q: How deep should I plant corn seeds?
A: Plant corn seeds about 1 to 1.5 inches deep in the soil. Make sure the soil is warm before you plant.
Q: Do I need to soak corn seeds before planting?
A: Soaking is generally not necessary for corn. Plant them directly into moist soil.
Q: Can I plant yellow and white corn next to each other?
A: Yes, but be aware that the pollen from one color can fertilize the other. This results in mixed-color ears, which is called “crossing.” If you want pure colors, separate them widely.
Q: What is the best way to ensure my corn has good pollination?
A: Plant corn in blocks, not long, single rows (e.g., four rows that are 10 feet long instead of one row that is 40 feet long). Blocks catch the wind better for pollination.
Q: Can I start corn seeds indoors?
A: It is best to plant corn directly into the garden. Corn does not like having its roots disturbed when transplanted.
Q: How long do corn seeds stay good for planting?
A: If stored correctly (cool and dry), corn seeds can remain viable for 2 to 3 years, though germination rates drop over time.
Q: What does “Bicolor” mean on a seed packet?
A: Bicolor means the ear will have both yellow and white kernels on the same cob.
Q: Should I choose Sweet Corn or Popcorn for eating?
A: Always choose seeds specifically labeled “Sweet Corn” for eating fresh. Popcorn kernels will not taste good when eaten raw or boiled.
Q: What temperature must the soil be for corn to sprout?
A: The soil should be at least 60°F (about 15°C) for reliable and fast sprouting. Cooler soil slows growth and increases the chance of rot.
Q: What if my corn ears look short or don’t fill up to the top?
A: This is often caused by poor pollination, usually because the plants were not grouped closely enough for the wind to work effectively.