Ashworth
Zea mays 'Ashworth'
A remarkable cold-tolerant heirloom sweet corn specifically bred for northern gardens and short growing seasons. This hardy variety can germinate in cooler soils and tolerate light frosts, making it possible to grow sweet corn in challenging climates where other varieties fail. The compact plants produce flavorful ears with excellent eating quality despite the shorter season requirements.
Harvest
60-70d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Ashworth in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Ashworth · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | August – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | August – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | July – September |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | July – August |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | June – July |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | May – July |
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Color: Gold/Yellow. Type: Caryopsis. Length: > 3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.
Garden value: Edible, Showy
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Summer
Edibility: Edibile
Storage & Preservation
Use Ashworth corn immediately after harvest for peak sweetness—sugars convert to starch rapidly at room temperature. If immediate use isn't possible, refrigerate unhusked ears up to 3 days, or husk and blanch immediately for longer storage.
For freezing, blanch ears in boiling water for 4 minutes (small ears) to 6 minutes (large ears), then plunge in ice water. Cut kernels from cob or freeze whole ears in freezer bags. Frozen Ashworth corn maintains quality for 8-10 months.
The variety's naturally tender kernels make it excellent for cream-style corn preservation. Cut kernels at half-depth, then scrape cobs with a knife back to extract the creamy pulp. This method works particularly well for pressure canning, as Ashworth's sweet, tender nature creates a superior creamed corn compared to field varieties. The early harvest timing also makes it perfect for pickled corn relish when combined with late-summer vegetables.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, corn provides natural support for climbing beans
Squash
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes the Three Sisters planting method
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects while attracting beneficial predators
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel squash bugs and corn borers
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests, provide windbreak protection
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize corn borers and other pest larvae
Parsley
Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control aphids
Radishes
Help break up compacted soil with their taproots, mature quickly without competing for space
Keep Apart
Black Walnut Trees
Release juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and can kill plants
Tomatoes
Both attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients, increasing pest pressure
Fennel
Releases allelopathic compounds that inhibit corn germination and growth
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good cold tolerance and resistance to cool weather diseases
Common Pests
Seed corn maggot, cutworms, corn flea beetle
Diseases
Seedling blights, bacterial leaf streak