Sweetcorn 'Lark'

'Lark' is a superb "Tendergold" (Tendersweet) sugar-enhanced sweetcorn variety, specifically bred to reliably produce sweet, juicy cobs in the shorter, cooler summers of the UK. This variety is noted for its thinner skin and exceptionally sweet, creamy kernels which lack the tough, starchy texture of older varieties. Because sweetcorn is wind-pollinated, 'Lark' should be planted in blocks rather than single rows to ensure the cobs are fully filled with kernels. In Britain, it is usually started indoors in pots in late April to give the plants a head start before being planted out in June. It requires a sunny, sheltered site and deep, fertile soil with plenty of moisture during the flowering period. The plants grow to about 1.5-2 metres tall. A key benefit of 'Lark' is that it doesn't need to be isolated from other varieties to maintain its sweetness. Harvest the cobs in August or September when the tassels at the end of the cob have turned brown and the kernels exude a milky liquid when pressed.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H2 — down to 1°C.

Flowering: Jul, Aug.