Hybrid

Avalon

Zea mays 'Avalon'

A premium bicolor supersweet corn that delivers restaurant-quality flavor and appearance to the home garden. Known for its exceptional sweetness and crisp texture, Avalon produces beautiful ears with excellent kernel retention and superior eating quality. This variety excels in both cool and warm growing conditions, making it reliable across different climates.

Harvest

75-78d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

5-8 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Direct Sow

Harvest

Direct Sow

Harvest

Showing dates for Avalon in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 corn →

Zone Map

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Avalon · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing10-12 inches

SoilDeep, fertile, well-drained soil with good organic content

pH6.2-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSummer

FlavorExceptionally sweet and crispy, very tender with intense corn flavor

ColorBicolor with bright yellow and white kernels in attractive pattern

Size8.5-9 inch ears

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 4	—	—	June – July	September – October
Zone 5	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 6	—	—	May – June	August – October
Zone 7	—	—	April – June	August – September
Zone 8	—	—	April – May	July – September
Zone 9	—	—	March – April	June – August
Zone 10	—	—	February – April	June – 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 fresh Avalon corn immediately for best flavor, as supersweet varieties retain their sweetness better than standard corn but still begin converting sugars to starch after harvest. Store unhusked ears in the refrigerator for up to one week, keeping husks on to preserve moisture and sweetness.

For freezing, blanch whole kernels in boiling water for 4 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Drain thoroughly and freeze in portions. Alternatively, freeze whole ears after blanching for 6-8 minutes—this method works exceptionally well with Avalon's tender kernels.

Can kernels using a pressure canner following USDA guidelines, though freezing better preserves Avalon's signature crisp texture. For a gourmet preservation method, cut kernels from cobs and dehydrate at 135°F for 8-12 hours to create intensely flavored corn for soups and stews. The high sugar content in Avalon makes it particularly suitable for dehydrating, creating almost candy-like dried kernels.

History & Origin

Origin: Mexico

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Black Walnut
+Edible: Edibile
+Fast-growing

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Beans

Fixes nitrogen in soil that corn needs, creates classic Three Sisters partnership

Squash

Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild

Marigolds

Repels corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn borers

Sunflowers

Provides natural windbreak and attracts beneficial insects

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn pests like aphids

Basil

Repels thrips and aphids while attracting beneficial pollinators

Radishes

Helps break up compacted soil and deters corn rootworms

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, corn attracts tomato fruitworms

Black Walnut

Releases juglone which is toxic to corn and inhibits growth

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

86kcal(4%)

Protein

3.22g(6%)

Fiber

2.7g(10%)

Carbs

19g(7%)

Fat

1.18g(2%)

Vitamin C

6.8mg(8%)

Vitamin A

0mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

0.3mcg(0%)

Iron

0.52mg(3%)

Calcium

2mg(0%)

Potassium

270mg(6%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common rust and moderate resistance to northern corn leaf blight

Common Pests

Corn earworm, fall armyworm, European corn borer, wireworms

Diseases

Common smut, gray leaf spot, bacterial stalk rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Avalon corn take to grow from seed to harvest?▼

Avalon corn takes 75-78 days from planting to harvest, making it a mid-season variety. This timeline assumes proper soil temperature (65°F+) at planting and adequate nutrition throughout the growing season. In cooler climates or poor growing conditions, expect harvest closer to 80 days.

Can you grow Avalon corn in containers?▼

While possible, Avalon corn is challenging in containers due to its height (6-7 feet) and extensive root system. If attempting container growing, use containers at least 20 gallons per plant, ensure proper wind protection, and hand-pollinate since container plants are often too isolated for effective wind pollination.

What does Avalon corn taste like compared to regular corn?▼

Avalon delivers intensely sweet, crisp kernels with a tender texture that's noticeably different from standard corn. The supersweet genetics provide almost candy-like sweetness without the starchy undertones of regular corn, making it excellent for eating raw or with minimal cooking.

Is Avalon corn good for beginner gardeners?▼

Avalon is moderately challenging for beginners due to its specific requirements: precise planting timing, isolation needs, heavy feeding schedule, and consistent watering. New gardeners should start with easier corn varieties before attempting supersweet types like Avalon.

When should I plant Avalon corn in my area?▼

Plant Avalon when soil temperature reaches 65°F consistently—typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this means late April to early June. Use a soil thermometer rather than air temperature, as supersweet varieties are sensitive to cold soil and will rot if planted too early.

How far apart should Avalon corn be planted from other corn varieties?▼

Maintain at least 250 feet between Avalon and other corn types, or plant them 2+ weeks apart to prevent cross-pollination. Cross-pollination ruins the supersweet characteristics, resulting in tough, starchy kernels instead of the expected tender, sweet ones.