VegetableCorn
Early Sunglow Corn
Sweet Corn
Early Sunglow Corn is a hybrid sweet corn bred specifically for speed and shorter stature, maturing in just 62 days and reaching only 4 feet tall, making it one of the earliest varieties available. Developed to deliver vibrant golden ears in regions where gardeners need dependable, heat-tolerant corn, it grows reliably across hardiness zones 2 through 13. Each stalk produces six to seven inch ears of sweet corn, and the variety handles both heat and drought better than many standard corn types. With full sun and proper spacing, Early Sunglow rewards gardeners with an early harvest that doesn't require the towering stalks of traditional corn varieties.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/corn-su-early-sunglow-hybrid-treated)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
2-13
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam With Organic Matter
Preferred Temp65-85°F
Growth Stats
60 in
Height
PeriodAnnual
TypeUpright Stalk
Spacing
8-10 inches apart, rows spaced 30 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
2-13
Size
60in H x ?in W
Growth
Annual
Care
High
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Early Sunglow earned its reputation by being earlier than other corn types while maintaining that golden color gardeners love. The compact 4-foot stalks make this variety genuinely accessible for smaller gardens and tight spaces, eliminating the need for staking or shelter from the wind. Its ability to handle heat and drought sets it apart from more finicky corn hybrids, giving you reliable production even when summer conditions turn harsh.
Common Uses
Early Sunglow is grown as fresh-eating sweet corn, harvested at the peak of maturity for boiling, grilling, or steaming. The manageable ear size and early harvest window make it particularly suited to home gardeners who want corn for the dinner table rather than bulk preservation, though the ears can certainly be blanched and frozen for later use.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Mid-spring (Tasseling)
First Harvest
Early Summer
Last Harvest
Mid-summer
Care Instructions
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds 1 inch deep after the last frost date when soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant in blocks or short rows rather than a single line to ensure better pollination. Seeds germinate in 7-10 days in warm soil.
Harvesting
Pick ears when the husks are bright green and tightly wrapped, and the silk has turned brown or darkened. The ears should feel full and plump when gently squeezed. At 62 days after planting, begin checking regularly; harvest when a kernel squeezed from the tip releases a milky (not watery or starchy) juice. Twist and pull the ear downward and away from the stalk. Use harvested ears within a few hours for peak sweetness, or refrigerate in the husk until ready to cook.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Ecology & Traits
Edible
Soil pH Range
6 – 7
Scientific Classification
Zea mays L. ssp. parviglumis Iltis & Doebley
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Zea
Duration
Annual
Growth Habit
Graminoid
Native Status
L48 (I)
History & Origin
“Early Sunglow Corn was deliberately developed as a hybrid to solve a real gardening problem: creating sweet corn that would mature earlier than conventional varieties without sacrificing either yield or the appealing golden color that makes corn so visually rewarding. The name itself reflects the variety's defining characteristics, the 'Early' promising speed and the 'Sunglow' referencing its vibrant appearance. By crossing parent lines selected for early maturity and compact growth, breeders created a corn that democratized the crop for gardeners in shorter-season regions and those with limited space.”