Sweetcorn Golden Bantam

Sweetcorn Golden Bantam: variety and characteristics

Sweetcorn Golden Bantam (Zea mays) is an annual vegetable of the grass family (Poaceae). This variety made yellow sweet corn popular as early as 1902.

An extremely popular variety because of its tasty, sweet and tender cobs.

A suitable variety for early planting, as it thrives in cold soil and ripens in 80-90 days.

Super sweet.

Home-grown sweet corn, boiled or roasted minutes after picking, is incomparably sweeter than shop-bought. Popcorn and ornamental varieties are a pleasure of their own.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 85%
• Seeds per packet: 12–17 pcs (3 g)
• Seed origin: Italy
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Harvest: August and September
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Sweetcorn Golden Bantam

Sweetcorn Golden Bantam seeds are sown in March and April. Harvest in August and September. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Sweetcorn Golden Bantam

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 3–5 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm in the row, 60–70 cm between rows
• Germination: 6–10 days at 15–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sweet corn can be grown in a variety of climatic conditions, but it requires high temperatures during the growing season. The plant begins to develop when temperatures rise above 10-12°C for normal sweet corns, while super sweet hybrids need soil temperatures of around 15°C. Sweet corn is a crop with high irrigation requirements and needs regular watering throughout the whole growing period. Harvesting should be done when the kernels are at the milk stage. During this period the silks of the cobs begin to turn brown and dry. 50% of the cobs are ready for harvest 20-22 days after tasselling. The cobs are in optimal condition for harvest for 3-4 days.

Sow in a block of at least 3–4 rows (rather than one long row) — this improves pollination and the cobs are full. Do not sow within 100 m of other corn if you want a sweet flavour.

Harvest and use

Sweet corn is ready when the silks turn brown and the kernel releases milky juice when pressed. Popcorn varieties stay on the plant until fully dry.

Frequently asked questions

When should Sweetcorn Golden Bantam be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 12–17 seeds, pack size 3 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 85%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why are the cobs not full?

Most often from poor pollination — sow in a square block, not in a single row.