Hybrid

Bodacious

Zea mays 'Bodacious'

True to its bold name, Bodacious delivers outstanding performance with remarkable heat tolerance and disease resistance that makes it ideal for challenging growing conditions. This reliable hybrid produces consistently sweet, yellow ears even when temperatures soar, making it a favorite among Southern gardeners and anyone dealing with hot summers. Its robust nature and dependable yields prove that great corn can thrive even in tough conditions.

Harvest

75-80d

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 Bodacious in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 corn →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Bodacious · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing6-8 inches apart in rows 30-36 inches apart

SoilAdaptable to various soil types, prefers well-drained fertile soil

pH6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSummer

FlavorSweet and tender with classic corn flavor, maintains quality in heat

ColorBright yellow kernels

Size8-9 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	September – 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

Fresh Bodacious corn stores best with husks left on, kept in the refrigerator for up to one week. Remove husks only just before cooking to maintain moisture and sweetness. For longer storage, blanch ears in boiling water for 4-6 minutes depending on size, then plunge into ice water before cutting kernels from cob and freezing in portion-sized bags.

Bodacious excels for canning due to its firm kernel structure that holds up well to processing. Use standard boiling water bath methods for whole kernel or cream-style corn. The variety's natural sweetness intensifies slightly during canning, making it superior to field corn for preservation. You can also dehydrate kernels at 125°F for 12-18 hours to create your own corn meal or storage corn that rehydrates well in soups and stews.

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, part of the Three Sisters planting method

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn earworms

Marigolds

Repel corn earworms, aphids, and nematodes with their strong scent

Squash

Ground cover suppresses weeds and retains soil moisture, completes the Three Sisters

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and can serve as natural corn supports when planted strategically

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps that control corn pests

Lettuce

Benefits from corn's shade and doesn't compete for nutrients due to shallow roots

Cucumbers

Can climb corn stalks for support while corn provides partial shade

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, and corn can harbor tomato fruitworm

Brassicas

Corn can stunt growth of cabbage family plants and both compete for similar nutrients

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone which is toxic to corn and inhibits growth and development

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

Excellent resistance to Stewart's wilt and common rust. Good resistance to northern corn leaf blight and gray leaf spot.

Common Pests

Corn earworm, European corn borer, lesser cornstalk borer

Diseases

Occasionally affected by smut, resistant to most major corn diseases

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bodacious corn matures in 75-80 days from planting to harvest. This puts it in the medium-season category, taking about 2-3 weeks longer than early varieties but producing more robust ears. The exact timing depends on soil temperature, moisture, and growing conditions, but you can count on harvest by mid to late summer when planted after soil reaches 60°F in spring.

Can you grow Bodacious corn in containers or pots?▼

Bodacious corn is not well-suited for container growing due to its size requirements and pollination needs. Corn plants typically reach 6-8 feet tall and require planting in blocks of at least 16 plants for proper wind pollination. Even large containers cannot provide adequate space for the root system and multiple plants needed for successful ear development and kernel fill.

Is Bodacious corn good for beginners?▼

Yes, Bodacious is excellent for beginning gardeners because of its exceptional disease resistance and heat tolerance. These traits make it forgiving of less-than-perfect growing conditions. Its hybrid vigor means more consistent results than heirloom varieties, and the straightforward direct-sowing method eliminates transplanting complications. The main requirement is planting in blocks rather than rows for pollination.

What does Bodacious corn taste like compared to other sweet corn?▼

Bodacious offers classic sweet corn flavor with tender kernels and balanced sweetness that doesn't become overly sugary. Unlike some supersweet varieties that can taste artificial, Bodacious maintains traditional corn flavor while staying tender and sweet even in hot weather. The kernels have a pleasant pop when bitten and hold their texture well when cooked multiple ways.

When should I plant Bodacious corn for the best results?▼

Plant Bodacious corn when soil temperature consistently reaches 60°F, typically mid-April in zones 7-8 and early May in zones 5-6. Its superior heat tolerance allows successive plantings every 2-3 weeks through mid-July, unlike heat-sensitive varieties that must be planted early. This extended planting window means fresh corn from midsummer through early fall.

How heat tolerant is Bodacious corn compared to other varieties?▼

Bodacious corn excels in heat tolerance, maintaining kernel sweetness and tenderness even during extended periods above 90°F when other varieties become starchy and tough. This makes it ideal for Southern gardens and increasingly hot summers elsewhere. While most sweet corn struggles in sustained heat, Bodacious was specifically bred to thrive in these challenging conditions without sacrificing eating quality.