When to plant
sweetcorn in the UK
Plant in a block, not a row — they're wind-pollinated and need neighbours. Each plant gives you 1-2 cobs, so don't be stingy with numbers.
Work out your own dates
Starts from the recommended sow date for your area. Sowed on a different day, or planted out late? Adjust below and the harvest moves with it.
Using the UK-average last frost · 15 April · add your postcode to tune it
Growing journey
17 weeks from planting out to harvest · Start indoors 7 weeks before planting out
Get sweetcorn seeds
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What sweetcorn need
Full sun. Sheltered spot. Rich soil.
Spacing
45cm between plants
These are larger plants — give them plenty of space for air circulation.
Varieties worth growing
Swift
commonAn early variety that actually ripens in British summers — which is more than you can say for most sweetcorn. Grow in a block (not a row) for pollination, and the moment the silks go brown, get the water boiling.
Corn on the cob with chilli butter
Boil for three minutes (fresh sweetcorn needs barely any cooking). Roll in butter mixed with smoked chilli flakes, a squeeze of lime, and a crumble of salty cheese. Summer at its peak.
Lark
uncommonSupersweet type that holds its sugars longer after picking — handy if you can't get the water boiling the second you pick it. Good-sized cobs with tender kernels, and reliable enough for UK conditions.
Sweetcorn fritters
Strip the kernels, mix with a batter of flour, egg, spring onion, and a pinch of chilli. Fry spoonfuls in a pan until golden and crispy. Serve with sweet chilli sauce and a squeeze of lime.
Glass Gem
★ legendaryYou're not growing this for eating. You're growing it for the moment you peel back the husk and see those translucent, jewel-coloured kernels for the first time. Every cob is different — ruby, sapphire, amber, opal. A Cherokee heritage variety rescued by a seed saver in Oklahoma. Dry it and keep it on the shelf. It's art.
Decorative corn wreath
Dry the cobs fully, then wire them into a harvest wreath with dried flowers and seed heads. Not a recipe — a reason to grow something purely for its beauty. Though if you must eat it, the dried kernels make decent popcorn.
Sweetcorndrink heavily through summer — a good soak at the roots beats a daily sprinkle. How I water, and the lance I use →
When to sow sweetcorn
Based on UK average frost date. Enter your postcode for exact dates, or find your city.
Where to buy sweetcorn seeds
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What you'll need for sweetcorn
The stuff beginners wish they'd bought sooner.
Each seedling gets its own root space. Less root disturbance when planting out means faster establishment.
More in our equipment guide →Protects from late frost and gives seedlings a head start. Keep a roll in the shed — you'll use it constantly.
More in our equipment guide →Ferric phosphate — pet-safe and organic-approved. Young plants are slug magnets. One night can finish them.
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Get your exact dates
Enter your postcode for personalised planting dates for sweetcorn.