Hybrid

Incredible

Zea mays var. saccharata 'Incredible'

Living up to its name, Incredible is a supersweet hybrid that produces consistently large ears packed with exceptionally sweet, tender kernels. This reliable performer offers excellent disease resistance and strong stalks that resist lodging, making it perfect for areas with challenging weather. The sugar content remains high even days after harvest, giving home gardeners more flexibility in their harvest timing.

Harvest

85-90d

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 Incredible in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 corn →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Incredible · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing8-10 inches

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good moisture retention

pH6.2-6.8

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSummer

FlavorExtremely sweet and tender with crisp texture and intense corn flavor

ColorBright yellow kernels

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	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

Store fresh Incredible corn unhusked in the refrigerator immediately after harvest, where it maintains quality for 5-7 days – longer than most corn varieties due to its supersweet genetics. Keep husks on and place ears in perforated plastic bags to maintain moisture while allowing air circulation. For best flavor, avoid storing at room temperature, as even this variety will lose some sweetness over time.

For freezing, blanch husked ears in boiling water for 4-6 minutes depending on size, then plunge into ice water before cutting kernels from cob. Incredible freezes exceptionally well, maintaining its sweet flavor and tender texture for up to 12 months. Alternatively, freeze whole blanched ears wrapped individually in plastic wrap for grilling later.

Dehydrating kernels creates excellent additions to soups and stews – slice kernels from cobs and dry at 125°F until brittle. The variety's high sugar content makes it particularly suitable for corn relish and pickled corn recipes, where the sweetness balances vinegar and spices beautifully.

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 traditional Three Sisters planting

Squash

Large leaves provide ground cover and moisture retention, completes Three Sisters guild

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for cucumber beetles and squash bugs, deters corn earworm

Marigolds

Repel corn earworm, aphids, and nematodes with strong scent

Sunflowers

Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps that parasitize corn borers and other pests

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts hover flies and other beneficial insects that control aphids

Radishes

Break up compacted soil and may deter corn borers when interplanted

Keep Apart

Tomatoes

Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, tomato hornworms may spread to corn

Black Walnut Trees

Release juglone toxin that inhibits corn growth and development

Fennel

Allelopathic compounds 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

Excellent resistance to northern corn leaf blight, rust, and bacterial wilt

Common Pests

Corn earworm, European corn borer, birds, raccoons

Diseases

Common smut, gray leaf spot, southern rust

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Incredible corn takes 85-90 days from planting to harvest, making it a mid-season variety. Count from the day you plant seeds, not from emergence. In northern climates with shorter growing seasons, start counting days once soil reaches 60°F consistently to ensure accurate harvest timing.

Can you grow Incredible corn in containers or pots?▼

While possible, Incredible corn isn't ideal for container growing due to its large size and pollination requirements. If attempting container growing, use containers at least 20 gallons per plant and group multiple containers together for better pollination. The variety's vigorous growth and heavy feeding requirements make in-ground planting much more successful.

Is Incredible corn good for beginners?▼

Yes, Incredible is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its disease resistance, strong stalks, and forgiving harvest timing. The variety's extended sweetness retention means harvest timing mistakes are less costly than with standard corn. Its reliable germination and consistent ear development make it predictable and rewarding for new growers.

What does Incredible corn taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Incredible offers intensely sweet flavor with crisp, tender kernels and minimal starch content. It's significantly sweeter than standard sweet corn varieties and maintains its sugar content longer after harvest. The kernels have excellent 'pop' when bitten and lack the tough, chewy texture of field corn or overripe sweet corn.

When should I plant Incredible corn in my area?▼

Plant Incredible corn when soil temperature reaches 60°F consistently, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In most areas, this falls between late April and early June. Check soil temperature with a thermometer 2 inches deep in early morning for most accurate readings.

How do I protect Incredible corn from raccoons and other pests?▼

Install 4-foot fencing around the corn patch, or use individual ear protection with paper bags or corn socks. Harvest ears promptly when ripe, as overripe corn attracts more wildlife. For corn earworm control, apply beneficial nematodes to soil or use Bt spray when silks first appear.