Tropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprPlantMayPlantJunPlantJulPlantAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Grow to Eat
When to plant Sweet corn in Australia
A practical climate-by-climate planting calendar plus detailed starting, care, problem and safety guidance.
StartSow direct in blocksLightFull sunTiming12–16 weeksDifficultyEasy
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Australian planting calendar
Best months by climate
Highlighted months are the usual planting window. A local nursery, seed packet and current weather forecast should take priority over a broad climate calendar.
Subtropical
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarPlantAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugPlantSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March.
Warm temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebPlantMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January, February.
Cool temperate
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepWaitOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for October, November, December, January.
Mediterranean
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January.
Semi-arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January.
Arid
Open climate guide →JanPlantFebWaitMarWaitAprWaitMayWaitJunWaitJulWaitAugWaitSepPlantOctPlantNovPlantDecPlant
Aim for September, October, November, December, January.
Start well
Plant sweet corn with confidence
Sow direct in blocks. Sow about 25–35 mm, using clean seed-raising mix for trays and keeping the surface evenly moist until established.
- Sowing or planting depth
- about 25–35 mm
- Germination or establishment
- Commonly 7–21 days, but the seed packet and current soil temperature are the best guide for the exact variety.
- Spacing
- 25–35 cm in blocks
- Soil
- Fertile, free-draining soil enriched with compost; usually ph 6.0–6.8.
Feeding
Support steady growth
Apply compost before planting, then use a balanced feed as flowering begins.
Water
Keep moisture balanced
Water deeply and consistently through flowering and fruit development.
Maintenance
What to do as it grows
Plant in a block rather than one long row so wind-blown pollen reaches the silks evenly.
Harvest or display
Know when it is ready
12–16 weeks. Readiness varies with variety and weather; use colour, firmness, size and the supplier's maturity notes rather than the calendar alone.
Problems and companions
Keep your patch healthy
Common watch-outs
Inspect flowers and fruit for sap-sucking pests, caterpillars, fruit fly and fungal spotting.
Useful neighbours
Flowering herbs such as basil, coriander and alyssum can support pollinators and beneficial insects.
People and pets
Safety note
No Patch-specific toxicity warning is recorded. That does not prove the plant is safe—check the exact species with a veterinarian or poisons service if children or pets may eat it.
Moving plants
Biosecurity note
Fruit, plants and soil can be restricted between Australian states and pest-control zones. Check current interstate quarantine rules before moving them.
Transparent guidance
How to use this guide
Patch gives a broad Australian starting point, not a guarantee for every variety or garden. Read the Patch methodology and sources, check the latest Bureau of Meteorology climate information, and confirm interstate restrictions through Australian Interstate Quarantine.
Last reviewed 3 September 2026