Corn, or by its more international name, maize, is usually grown by tilling up the soil, working it down smooth to make a good seedbed, and planting the seed (by hand or machi
…ne) about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) down in the soil. If the soil is damp and warm enough (50 deg. F or higher), the corn will emerge in 1 to 2 weeks. Then weeds, insects, and diseases need to be controlled for the next two to four months. If the corn is for human consumption (sweet corn), it will be ready to harvest about 18 to 21 days after the pollen has fallen on exposed silks. If the corn is to be grown to full maturity (senescence), it will be ready when the the kernels have dried on the cob to the point where they are quite hard and can be separated completely from the cob. Dried corn kernels can be stored the longest if they are dried to about 15% moisture content. (MORE) 
