Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Jubilee in USDA Zone 7
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Jubilee · Zones 4–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
| Zone | Indoor Start | Transplant | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 4 | — | — | May – June | August – September |
| Zone 5 | — | — | May – July | August – September |
| Zone 6 | — | — | May – July | July – October |
| Zone 7 | — | — | April – July | July – October |
| Zone 8 | — | — | April – August | June – November |
| Zone 9 | — | — | March – September | May – December |
| Zone 10 | — | — | February – September | May – December |
Complete Growing Guide
Start preparing your corn patch in early spring by choosing the sunniest spot in your garden — Jubilee needs those full 6-8 hours of direct sunlight to develop its signature sweetness. Work 2-3 inches of well-aged compost into your soil along with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 works well) at planting time. Corn is a heavy feeder, so don't skimp on soil preparation.
Wait to direct sow until your soil temperature consistently hits 60-65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. Cold, wet soil will cause seeds to rot before they germinate — this is the most common rookie mistake with Jubilee. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows spaced 30 inches apart. For continuous harvest, plant successive crops every 2 weeks through midsummer.
Jubilee performs best when planted in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than single long rows — this ensures proper wind pollination and well-filled ears. Poor pollination leads to patchy kernels, another frequent disappointment for new growers.
Fertilize again when plants reach knee-high (about 18 inches tall) with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer like blood meal or fish emulsion. Side-dress along the rows, keeping fertilizer 6 inches from plant stems. Water deeply once or twice weekly, providing about 1 inch total — consistent moisture is crucial during tasseling and silk formation.
Hill soil around the base of plants when they're 12 inches tall to prevent wind damage and support the shallow root system. Jubilee develops strong stalks, but hilling still helps during thunderstorms.
Watch for corn earworms starting when silks appear. A drop of mineral oil on each silk tip provides organic control. For European corn borers, Bt spray applied when larvae are small (before they bore into stalks) works effectively.
Avoid cultivating deeply near corn plants — their roots spread wide but stay shallow. Hand-pull weeds or use shallow hoeing to prevent root damage that can topple mature stalks.
Harvesting
Harvest Jubilee corn 18-24 days after silks first appear, when silks turn brown and dry but aren't completely withered. The ears should feel plump and firm when you squeeze them gently through the husks. Pull back a small section of husk at the tip and press a kernel with your thumbnail — ripe corn releases a milky juice, while overripe kernels produce a clear liquid.
The classic test is to twist the ear downward while pulling — ripe ears detach easily with a satisfying snap. If you meet resistance, wait another day or two. Harvest in early morning when sugars are at their peak, ideally getting ears into boiling water within 30 minutes for maximum sweetness.
Jubilee typically produces 1-2 ears per stalk, with the lower ear maturing first. Pick the top ear a few days after the main harvest. Use a sharp knife to cut stems if twisting doesn't work cleanly — never yank hard enough to damage the plant's root system, especially if you're planning a second planting nearby.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh Jubilee corn loses sweetness rapidly after harvest — use it within 24 hours for peak flavor. Store unhusked ears in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity to slow sugar conversion to starch. The husks help retain moisture and sweetness.
For freezing, blanch whole ears for 7-11 minutes depending on size, then cool in ice water before cutting kernels from cobs. Jubilee's tender kernels freeze exceptionally well and maintain good texture for up to 12 months.
For canning, Jubilee's sweet flavor concentrates beautifully. Process whole kernel corn in a pressure canner following USDA guidelines — never attempt water bath canning with corn. You can also dehydrate kernels for storage, though this works better for flour corn than sweet varieties like Jubilee.
History & Origin
Jubilee was developed by the Joseph Harris Company and introduced in 1959, though it didn't gain widespread popularity until the mid-1960s. This hybrid was specifically bred to combine the reliability of older yellow corn varieties with improved sweetness and tenderness that could compete with the white sweet corns dominating home gardens at the time.
The variety was created during the 'Golden Age' of sweet corn breeding when hybridizers were working to develop yellow varieties that could match the eating quality of traditional white corns like Country Gentleman and Stowell's Evergreen. Jubilee succeeded where many others failed, offering consistent germination in cool soils and strong disease resistance while delivering the sweet, tender kernels home gardeners demanded.
Jubilee earned its place as a staple variety through decades of reliable performance in diverse growing conditions across North America. Its longevity in seed catalogs — over 60 years and counting — speaks to its exceptional balance of flavor, productivity, and garden performance that newer varieties still struggle to match.
Advantages
- +Exceptional cold soil tolerance allows earlier planting than most sweet corn varieties
- +Consistently produces well-filled ears even in less-than-ideal pollination conditions
- +Strong bacterial wilt resistance prevents sudden plant collapse in humid climates
- +Kernels maintain sweetness longer after harvest than many modern supersweet varieties
- +Reliable germination rates even in cooler, wetter springs when other corns fail
- +Stalks rarely lodge even in strong winds due to robust root development
- +Perfect kernel-to-cob ratio makes it excellent for both fresh eating and processing
Considerations
- -85-90 day maturity makes it too late for very short growing seasons (zones 3-4)
- -Susceptible to southern corn leaf blight in hot, humid conditions
- -Requires consistent moisture during silk formation or ears develop poorly filled tips
- -Not as intensely sweet as modern supersweet hybrids that some gardeners prefer
- -Large ears need strong stalks that take up more garden space than compact varieties
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Bush Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil which corn needs for healthy growth
Winter Squash
Large leaves suppress weeds and retain soil moisture around corn stalks
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attract beneficial insects
Pole Beans
Climb corn stalks for support while fixing nitrogen in the soil
Dill
Attracts beneficial insects like lacewings that prey on corn pests
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and birds that eat corn pests
Radishes
Help break up compacted soil and deter corn borers when planted nearby
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Releases juglone toxin that severely stunts corn growth and development
Tomatoes
Both attract corn earworms and compete for similar nutrients
Fennel
Allelopathic properties inhibit corn germination and growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good resistance to bacterial wilt and northern corn leaf blight
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, raccoons
Diseases
Southern corn leaf blight, common rust, gray leaf spot