I've noticed that sweet corn ears sold in grocery stores can reach over 10 inches, while the seed packets from companies like Botanical Interests and Burpee only state ear sizes around 6 to 8 inches. Is there a reason for this difference? Do the varieties sold to gardeners typically produce smaller ears, or is it due to growing conditions?
3 Answers
Generally, the home garden varieties can be similar in size to those found commercially, but they often turn out smaller due to less than ideal growing conditions at home. Many home gardeners don't manage plant spacing, watering, and fertilization as effectively as commercial farms do. If you want bigger ears, try using quality hybrid seeds and providing them with enough water and nutrients!
Another reason could be the use of GMO varieties in commercial farming, which thrive on heavy use of fertilizers. Additionally, it’s likely that only the biggest ears make it to market; smaller ones might be sold as feed. Also, heirloom varieties often don't reach the size of commercial hybrids, which explains why the corn from stores looks so much bigger.
I’d agree with that! Heirloom varieties often yield smaller ears as well. Back in my day, corn was never as big as what we see today. Plus, fresh corn from stores wasn’t picked that long ago, unlike frozen corn which retains its sweetness better.
It's also true that some varieties bred for home gardens naturally have smaller ears. Seed catalogs usually list their average ear sizes, so it’s good to check those out. Commercial varieties tend to be selected for size and yield, which might explain the discrepancy.
Yep, that's spot on! Most of us just don’t give our corn the right treatment. If you space them too close or skimp on the irrigation and fertilizers, it really does affect the size.