While the time it takes to grow corn can vary greatly, the signs that the corn is ready to pick are the same for all sweet corn varieties. Corn kernels go through different growth stages ...

Once you've found an ear that passes this visual test, pick it up. It should have some heft to it, indicating that its sugars haven't begun converting to starches, a process that dries the corn out.

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“This is just a bunch of old farmers who get together every year and pick corn with an old picker, a single-row picker,” he said. “It’s just something that brings back memories.