Silver and Gold
Zea mays 'Silver and Gold'
A stunning bicolor sweet corn that delivers the best of both worlds with alternating white and yellow kernels on each ear. This reliable variety produces consistently sweet, tender kernels with excellent eating quality that makes it a favorite for fresh eating and freezing. The attractive appearance and dependable performance make it perfect for home gardeners who want both beauty and flavor in their corn patch.
Harvest
78-82d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Silver and Gold in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 corn →Zone Map
Click a state to update dates
Silver and Gold · 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 | 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 Silver and Gold corn maintains best quality when stored unhusked in the refrigerator immediately after harvest. Keep husks on and store in perforated plastic bags for up to 3-4 days, though quality declines daily as sugars convert to starch.
For freezing, blanch husked ears in boiling water for 4 minutes (small ears) to 6 minutes (large ears), then plunge into ice water. Cut kernels from cob or freeze whole ears in freezer bags for up to 12 months. This bicolor variety freezes exceptionally well, retaining its sweet flavor and attractive appearance.
Dehydrating works well for Silver and Gold - blanch briefly, cut kernels from cob, and dry at 125°F until crisp. The contrasting colors make beautiful additions to soups and stews through winter months.
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, classic Three Sisters companion
Squash
Large leaves provide ground cover to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects
Nasturtiums
Act as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, repel corn borers
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and can serve as natural trellis support
Dill
Attracts beneficial predatory insects that control corn pests
Cucumber
Benefits from corn's wind protection while providing ground cover
Radishes
Help break up compacted soil and deter corn borers when planted nearby
Keep Apart
Tomatoes
Both are heavy nitrogen feeders creating competition, corn can shade tomatoes
Black Walnut
Produces juglone which is toxic to corn and inhibits growth
Brassicas
Heavy nitrogen feeders that compete with corn 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 smut
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, armyworms
Diseases
Northern corn leaf blight, southern corn rust, common smut, bacterial wilt