How to Grow Sweet Corn in New Zealand
Sow direct from October to December in Auckland. Plant in a block of at least four by four rather than a single row for proper wind pollination. A hungry feeder, so dig in compost or manure first.
When to plant sweet corn in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | October, November |
| Auckland | October, November |
| Waikato & BoP | October, November |
| Wellington | November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | November, December |
| Canterbury | November, December |
| Otago & Southland | December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best sweet corn varieties for NZ
- Honey Sweet F1 — Reliable yellow supersweet hybrid, large well-filled cobs. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10)
- Kelvedon Glory — Early sweet hybrid, dependable in cooler springs, good flavour. (Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds)
- True Gold — Open-pollinated golden sweet corn with old-fashioned flavour. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow sweet corn
- Space plants about 30cm apart.
- Sow seed around 3cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 7 days.
Companion planting
Grow sweet corn near: Beans, Pumpkin, Zucchini, Cucumber.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Tomato fruitworm, Birds, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Sweet Corn plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant sweet corn in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in October, November. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy sweet corn seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Egmont Seeds, Kings Seeds, Mitre 10.