Plant Spacing for Tall Corn
The general rules for spacing out your corn seeds depend not on how much land you have but on what variety of corn you plant.
If you are growing a tall variety of corn, you need to plant the seeds further apart than if you are raising a smaller variety. You should plant seeds for tall corn in rows that are about three and a half feet (1 meter) apart. The space between each plant should be between seven and ten inches (18-25 cm).
There are many different kinds of tall-growing corn to choose from, including:
- Giant Silo Corn
- Silver Queen White Corn
- Golden Bantam Corn
Tip: The taller the corn plant, the more space they need to grow. Keep this in mind when you are choosing your corn seeds.
Plant Spacing for Short Corn
If you are planting a shorter type of corn like Early Sunglow Hybrids or Yukon Chief Sweet corn, you can safely plant the seeds in rows that are between 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) apart. The space between each plant should still be around eight inches (20 cm). As a general rule, sweet corn plants do not grow very tall. You might hear short-statured corn varieties referred to as dwarf plants.
Tip: One way to harvest more corn when your space is limited is to stagger planting, so you are planting new seeds every two weeks. You may reap fewer ears at a time, but you will have fresh corn for a more extended period.
Benefits of Closer Plant Spacing for Corn
There are many advantages to growing smaller types of corn and planting them close together. Not only do the shorter rows help control weeds better, but you can also be assured that pollination will occur. Planting corn too far apart may prevent the wind from pollinating the corn, and you could end up with stalks that do not produce ears.
As long as you choose corn seeds that are meant for the size of plot you have, you can easily plant corn no matter how big your garden is.
