Farm Facts: Sweet Corn

Up-close of a man holding sweet corn — *Photo credit: Jason Nuttle*

The U.S. produces nearly 40% of the world’s corn. Florida produces more sweet corn for the fresh market than any other state. Learn some interesting facts about Florida sweet corn.

There are more than 37,000 acres of sweet corn across the state.
Florida ranks first in production and value of fresh market sweet corn.
The Everglades Agricultural Area (Palm Beach County) accounts for more than half the sweet corn production in the state. There are 27,000 acres in Palm Beach County devoted to growing sweet corn.
Corn is a member of the cereal grass family and is related to other grains such as wheat, oats, barley and rice.
The average ear of corn has 500 to 1,000 kernels.
It takes 75 to 90 days for sweet corn to grow before harvesting begins.
Sweet corn is a variety of maize with a high sugar content developed by a naturally occurring mutation in the genes that controls the conversion of sugar to starch in the kernel.
One ear of corn contains approximately the same amount of calories as a banana.
Sweet corn is an excellent source of several B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium and phosphorus.
To help preserve freshness, store corn in the refrigerator with the husk still on.
Florida sweet corn is in season from October to June. South Florida generally plants from October to March, central Florida from January to April and north Florida from February to April.