Silver King Sweet Corn

Silver King Sweet Corn is a hybrid, white sweet corn variety that matures earlier and is sweeter than its Silver Queen counterpart. Because it is a sugary-enhanced (se) variety, it is sweeter than traditional sweet corn varieties as it has more sugar and less starch. It also will store longer once harvested, usually 5-9 days in cold storage. Silver King also matures earlier than Silver Queen and is one of the earliest corn varieties we carry. Plants produce 7′ tall stalks with large 8.5″ ears. This is a great variety for grilling, boiling or roasting, but also performs well when frozen as cream corn.

Sweet corn should be planted in the spring after the last frost date. Sweet corn can be grown throughout the warmer months up until fall, as long as time is permitted for harvest before first frost. Succession planting is recommended with at least two plantings, one in early spring and one in late summer/early fall. Corn ear worm pressure will be greater in the warmer months, but this can be alleviated by applying spinosad to silks and tassels once they appear.

We recommend planting sweet corn using a walk-behind planter like our Hoss Garden Seeder. Once plants emerge, thin plants to 6-8″ depending on adequate irrigation. If drip irrigation is used, in-row spacing may be as close as 6″. If water is scarce, a wider in-row spacing will be necessary. For pollination purposes, corn should be planted in a square plot with rows on 30-36″ spacing. Planting a few long rows will result in poor germination and absence of kernels on the cobs.

Silver King Sweet Corn Planting Information

Planting Method: direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1″

Seed Spacing: 6-8″

Row Spacing: 30-36″

Days to Maturity: 80

Disease Resistance: Rust, Stewart’s Wilt, Northern Corn Leaf Blight