Due to consumer demand, plant breeders over the past decade have significantly improved the quality of sweet corn. Numerous types of sweet corn are now available to homeowners, and it is important to know about these types in order to obtain maximum quality.

Normal Sweet Corn or Sugary Normal: Abbreviated Su, Su+, Su++. These have been, and still are, very popular with home gardeners, partly because they will germinate in cool soil (10 C). Varieties have varying degrees of sweetness, but unfortunately the sugars convert to starches after harvest quite quickly. A new group of normal sweet corn called 'All Sweets' is much sweeter than the average for this type.

Sugar Enhanced: Abbreviated SE or EH. This type is most prized for its very tender kernels that are easy to chew. The sugar content is greater than normal sweet corn, reportedly much the same as 'All Sweets'. After harvest, sugars are not converted to starches as fast as normal sweet corn varieties. Sugar-enhanced varieties should not be planted as early as normal sweet corn varieties, for they need a warm (17 C - 63 F) soil temperature for germination.

Supersweet or Shrunken: Abbreviated Sh2. This type of sweet corn produces kernels that are at least twice as sweet as normal sweet corn, and also sweeter than sugar-enhanced varieties. The sugars do not convert to starches nearly as fast after harvest. Unfortunately these varieties need a warm (17 C - 63 F) soil temperature for good germination. Isolation from other corn types is essential!

The Department of Horticulture Science has tested numerous varieties of corn over the past few years. Although these tests are aimed more at commercial producers, many market gardeners and homeowners with large corn patches can benefit from the results. If you wish to have a copy of the results, please write to the Department of Horticulture Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Sask., S7N OWO, attention: Garden Line.

Some of the varieties that have performed well in this area, and that are recommended for homeowners include: Buttervee (Su++), Classic Touch (Su+), Maple Sweet (SE), Northlite (Su), Polarvee (Su), Spartan (Su++), and Sweetie (Sh2). This list is by no means complete, as many other varieties are likely suitable, but have not yet been tested by the Department.