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Showing dates for Sugar Enhanced (SE) Butter and Sugar in USDA Zone 7
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Sugar Enhanced (SE) Butter and Sugar · Zones 4–10
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Start by selecting a sunny location that receives 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, as Sugar Enhanced Butter and Sugar corn needs full sun to develop its signature sweet kernels. Test your soil pH, aiming for 6.0-6.8, and work in 2-3 inches of compost or well-aged manure before planting. This variety thrives in rich, well-draining loam with high organic content.
Wait to direct sow until soil temperature consistently reaches 65°F, typically 2-3 weeks after your last frost date. In zones 3-5, this means late May to early June; zones 6-7 can plant in early to mid-May. Plant seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in blocks rather than single rows—corn is wind-pollinated, so planting in blocks of at least 4 rows ensures proper pollination and full ear development.
Fertilize at planting with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, then side-dress with nitrogen-rich fertilizer when plants reach knee-high (about 18 inches). Apply another nitrogen boost when tassels begin forming. Water deeply but infrequently, providing 1-1.5 inches weekly, focusing water at the base to prevent foliar diseases.
Avoid planting too early when soil is cold and wet—this leads to poor germination and increased susceptibility to Stewart's wilt. Never plant Sugar Enhanced varieties near field corn or popcorn, as cross-pollination will reduce sweetness. Hill soil around the base of plants when they're 8 inches tall to prevent wind damage and encourage strong root development.
Maximize yield by succession planting every 2-3 weeks through mid-summer for continuous harvest. Watch for corn earworms during silk emergence—apply beneficial nematodes or Bt spray if needed. Remove suckers (side shoots) only if plants are stressed, as healthy suckers can produce additional ears.
Harvesting
Harvest Sugar Enhanced Butter and Sugar corn 18-21 days after silks first appear, typically 75-80 days from planting. The silks will turn brown and dry, but the key indicator is the kernel milk test—peel back husks slightly and pierce a kernel with your thumbnail. Ripe kernels release milky, sweet juice rather than clear liquid or doughy paste.
Ears should feel full and firm from tip to base, with kernels plump and tightly packed. The bicolor pattern will be clearly visible with bright yellow and crisp white kernels. Harvest in early morning when sugar content is highest—corn begins converting sugars to starch as temperatures rise.
Twist ears sharply downward and pull to remove cleanly from the stalk. Each plant typically produces 1-2 harvestable ears. Pick all mature ears within a 3-day window for peak sweetness, as Sugar Enhanced varieties maintain quality longer than standard corn but will still decline if left too long on the stalk.
Storage & Preservation
Use fresh Sugar Enhanced Butter and Sugar corn within 24-48 hours of harvest for optimal sweetness, storing unhusked ears in the refrigerator at 32-35°F to slow sugar conversion. Keep husks on until ready to use, as they help retain moisture and sweetness.
For freezing, blanch whole kernels in boiling water for 4 minutes, then immediately plunge into ice water. Cut kernels from cob and freeze in sealed bags for up to 12 months. Alternatively, freeze whole ears after blanching for 6-8 minutes.
This variety excels for canning—process pint jars in a pressure canner at 11 pounds pressure for 55 minutes. The balanced sweetness and tender texture make it ideal for corn relish and pickled corn preparations. Avoid dehydrating this variety as the high moisture content and sugar levels don't preserve well through drying methods.
History & Origin
Sugar Enhanced Butter and Sugar corn represents the evolution of bicolor sweet corn breeding that began in earnest during the 1960s. The original Butter and Sugar variety was developed by crossing yellow and white sweet corn varieties to create the distinctive bicolor pattern that became a hallmark of American summer gardens.
This Sugar Enhanced (SE) version emerged in the 1980s as plant breeders worked to bridge the gap between traditional sweet corn and the new supersweet varieties. SE corns like this one were developed to offer improved sweetness and longer post-harvest quality without the finicky growing requirements of supersweets.
The 'Butter and Sugar' name reflects the visual appeal—golden yellow kernels resembling butter alongside pristine white kernels like sugar. This hybrid was bred specifically for home gardeners who wanted reliable performance, excellent flavor, and the visual appeal that makes bicolor corn a favorite for farmers markets and backyard barbecues. The variety helped popularize bicolor corn across North America, making it a staple in seed catalogs by the 1990s.
Advantages
- +Maintains sweetness 2-3 days longer than standard sweet corn varieties after harvest
- +Distinctive bicolor pattern creates visual appeal for fresh eating and market sales
- +More reliable germination in cooler soils compared to supersweet varieties
- +Balanced sweetness appeals to both children and adults who find supersweets too intense
- +Moderate resistance to northern corn leaf blight reduces fungicide needs
- +Kernels stay tender longer, extending harvest window by several days
- +Excellent freezing quality with minimal texture loss after preservation
Considerations
- -Requires isolation from field corn and popcorn to prevent cross-pollination and loss of sweetness
- -Susceptible to Stewart's wilt in areas with high flea beetle populations
- -European corn borer damage can significantly impact ear quality and yield
- -Needs consistent moisture throughout growing season, struggling in drought conditions
- -75-80 day maturity makes it challenging for very short season areas
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Beans
Fix nitrogen in soil that corn needs, while corn provides natural trellis support
Squash
Ground cover reduces weeds and retains moisture, part of Three Sisters planting
Marigolds
Repel corn earworms, aphids, and other harmful insects with strong scent
Nasturtiums
Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters corn borers
Sunflowers
Attract beneficial insects and provide windbreak protection for corn
Dill
Attracts beneficial wasps that prey on corn earworms and aphids
Parsley
Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control corn pests
Cucumbers
Compatible growth habits and help maximize garden space efficiently
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
Brassicas
Cabbage family plants can stunt corn growth through allelopathic compounds
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Moderate resistance to northern corn leaf blight
Common Pests
Corn earworm, European corn borer, corn rootworm, birds
Diseases
Stewart's wilt, common rust, gray leaf spot