Early Sunglow
Zea mays 'Early Sunglow'
A reliable early-season sweet corn that delivers impressive flavor despite its quick maturity. This variety produces tender, golden kernels with excellent sweetness that holds well after harvest. Perfect for northern gardeners with shorter seasons or anyone wanting fresh corn on the table quickly.
Harvest
62-65d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Early Sunglow in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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Early Sunglow · 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
Fresh Early Sunglow corn is best used immediately but can be stored unhusked in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep husks on and store in perforated plastic bags to maintain humidity while allowing air circulation.
For longer storage, blanch whole ears in boiling water for 4 minutes, cool in ice water, then cut kernels from cobs and freeze in airtight containers for up to 12 months. Early Sunglow's tender kernels also excel when pressure canned—process pints for 55 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. The variety's good sugar retention makes it excellent for corn relish or pickled corn salad. Avoid dehydrating as the kernels become tough and lose their characteristic sweetness.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Lettuce
Benefits from corn's partial shade during hot weather, maximizing space use
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, while corn provides natural support
Pole Beans
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen to benefit corn growth
Summer Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Nasturtiums
Attract beneficial insects and repel cucumber beetles and corn earworms
Marigolds
Deter corn earworms, aphids, and nematodes with their strong scent
Dill
Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control corn pests like aphids
Sunflowers
Attract pollinators and beneficial insects while providing windbreak protection
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and development
Fennel
Inhibits corn growth through allelopathic compounds released by roots
Brassicas
Compete heavily for nitrogen and can stunt corn growth in early stages
Tomatoes
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating intense competition for nutrients
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to northern corn leaf blight and rust
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, raccoons
Diseases
Southern corn leaf blight, common smut, corn rust