For sweet corn that is dependable, productive and packed with flavour, RHS Sweet Corn Prelude F1 Seeds by Mr Fothergills is a brilliant choice for UK gardens. This mid to early maturing supersweet type produces high yielding cobs that fill right to the tip, with deep golden kernels and a narrow core. Plants perform consistently well in most conditions, making Prelude F1 a reliable variety for allotments and veg patches.
Prelude F1 is ideal for gardeners who want strong germination, sturdy plants and a good sized harvest window. The cobs have a lovely sweet flavour when picked at the right time, and nothing beats sweet corn that goes from plant to pan in minutes. To get the best eating quality, harvest when the silks turn brown and the kernels release a milky sap when pressed.
You can sow Prelude F1 indoors from March to May in 7.5cm pots of seed compost. Sow 1 seed per pot and cover with 1.5cm of compost. Firm gently and keep moist, covering with glass, polythene or a propagator lid. Keep at around 15°C. Remove the cover once seedlings appear, then grow on in bright conditions. In late May, gradually acclimatise plants to outdoor conditions, avoiding frost, before planting out.
For planting out, set sweet corn in blocks or squares rather than long rows to improve wind pollination. Space plants around 35cm apart in each direction and keep them well watered, especially at flowering time, as this has a big impact on cob formation. Sweet corn thrives in a sunny spot with fertile soil, and regular watering helps the kernels develop plump and sweet.
You can also sow outdoors in May, directly into a prepared seed bed in the growing position. Sow 1 to 2 seeds together with 40cm between stations and cover with 1.5cm of fine soil. Keep moist and thin to 1 strong seedling per station.
Harvest runs from August to October, depending on sowing time and growing conditions. Prelude F1 also carries the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, confirming its reliability and good performance in UK gardens. As part of the seed range produced by Mr Fothergills in partnership with the RHS, it has been carefully selected and trialled to deliver great results for home growers.
