Corn is one of the most popular vegetables, and for good reason.
Cultivated from a native plant that has become an American tradition, this fun, easy-to-grow crop comes in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes, and it makes a perfect addition to any garden.
Packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, this crop can be enjoyed in so many ways, whether eaten fresh, cooked, popped into popcorn, preserved, or even ground into flour.
And one thing is for sure – if you’ve never bitten into a sweet, juicy ear of homegrown corn (best smothered in butter, in my humble opinion), then you’re missing out!
There are three main types of sweet or supersweet cultivars marketed to home gardeners:
SU
The most common cultivar that you’ll find for home growing is referred to as “sugary.” You’ll typically be able to tell if it’s this type since you’ll find “SU” written somewhere on the seed packet or product listing.
This variety is more tolerant of cool conditions, but it doesn’t have a very long shelf life once off the plant.
SH2
There’s also a variety called “supersweet” which – the name being a bit of a giveaway here – has very high sugar content. This variety is usually marked by “SH2,” which stands for shrunken seeds, or sometimes you’ll see a descriptor like “ultrasweet.”
These tend to be a little bit more temperamental than sugary cultivars and can be a bit more challenging to grow. SH2 varieties last around a week in the fridge.
SE
The third type is also a supersweet variety (I think it’s pretty clear that corn is a good crop choice for those with a sweet tooth!).
Like SH2, this type has a high sugar content, but the kernels last longer on the plant after harvest. It is usually referred to as “SE” for “sugar extended.”
SE varieties tend to be very sweet, tender, and crisp. This type is a little bit pickier about its growing conditions than the others, requiring warm soil temperatures. As a result, this can make it a bit more difficult to grow.
Once harvested, SE varieties last for over a week in the refrigerator.