Sugar Enhanced (SE) Butter and Sugar
Zea mays 'Butter and Sugar'
A beloved bicolor sweet corn that combines the best of yellow and white kernels on the same ear. This sugar-enhanced variety offers excellent flavor that's sweeter than standard corn but not as intense as supersweets, with kernels that stay tender longer after harvest. The attractive yellow and white pattern makes it as beautiful as it is delicious.
Harvest
75-80d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
2–11
USDA hardiness
Height
5-8 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Sugar Enhanced (SE) Butter and Sugar in USDA Zone 7
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Sugar Enhanced (SE) Butter and Sugar · 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
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
Origin: Mexico
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Black Walnut
- +Edible: Edibile
- +Fast-growing
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
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168538)
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