How Sweet It Is
Zea mays 'How Sweet It Is'
This pure white supersweet corn lives up to its name with incredibly tender kernels that practically melt in your mouth and sweetness that stays fresh for days after harvest. The compact 6-foot plants are perfect for smaller gardens while still producing full-sized ears with excellent tip fill and uniformity. How Sweet It Is has become a favorite among home gardeners who want maximum sweetness in a manageable plant size that's easy to grow and harvest.
Harvest
87-92d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for How Sweet It Is in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
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How Sweet It Is · Zones 2–11
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | — | — | June – July | October – October |
| Zone 4 | — | — | June – July | September – October |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – June | September – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – June | August – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – May | August – September |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – April | July – August |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – April | June – August |
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
Store unhusked ears immediately in the refrigerator at 32-35°F to preserve maximum sweetness—How Sweet It Is retains its sugar content better than standard varieties but still benefits from prompt cooling. Keep husks on until ready to use, and consume within 5-7 days for peak flavor.
For long-term storage, blanch husked ears in boiling water for 4-6 minutes depending on size, then plunge into ice water before freezing. The supersweet kernels freeze exceptionally well, maintaining their tender texture for up to 12 months. You can also cut kernels from cobs and freeze in portion-sized containers. Pressure canning works well for this variety—process pints for 55 minutes at 10 pounds pressure. Avoid dehydrating as the high sugar content doesn't dry well and becomes chewy.
History & Origin
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn can utilize, classic Three Sisters companion
Pole Beans
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen to benefit corn
Winter Squash
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture, completes Three Sisters guild
Marigolds
Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with strong scent
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and squash bugs, repel corn borers
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on corn pests like aphids
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests
Cucumbers
Benefit from corn's wind protection and shade during hot weather
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to corn and inhibits growth
Tomatoes
Both are heavy feeders competing for nutrients, attract similar pests like corn earworm
Fennel
Allelopathic properties 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
Resistant to Stewart's wilt, moderate resistance to rust diseases
Common Pests
Corn earworm, Japanese beetles, corn borer, aphids
Diseases
Northern corn leaf blight, gray leaf spot, crazy top