Why Massachusetts Sweet Corn Season Is Ending Fast (And How to Freeze It)

Sweet corn season, like most things in summer, is too short and is getting shorter every day as the end of the harvest season quickly approaches.

It seems like only yesterday when my wife asked me in May, "Can we go to a farm stand and buy some sweet corn yet?" Obviously we couldn't, but the local markets were importing ears from down south, and even though it wasn't as fresh and delicious as locally grown corn, it hit the spot.

Some Massachusetts farms can bring locally grown sweet corn to the table by mid-July.

READ MORE: Best Farmstands for Corn on the Cob on the SouthCoast

We face a different dilemma now as the growing season turns to harvest season, and harvest season will soon be replaced by frost season. Once frost arrives, there is no more fresh sweet corn until next summer.

Fresh Massachusetts Sweet Corn Season Is

Massachusetts Sweet Corn Harvest Timeline

The Massachusetts Harvest Calendar-PickYourOwn.org says August 1 to September 20 is the "most active" time for harvesting sweet corn. The season generally ends around October 15.

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How to Freeze Sweet Corn: Blanching vs. Raw Freezing

It's A Veg World After All says you can freeze ears of sweet corn in the fall to eat during the corn-less winter months. The site says blanching the corn will give you the "best quality" frozen corn.

"Shuck the corn and remove all the silk," according to Veg World, then "boil the ears for 7 to 11 minutes depending upon size." Put the ears on ice for the same length of time to "stop the cooking."

When the ears are thoroughly dry, Veg World says, "wrap them tightly or place them in airtight freezer bags and freeze."

Tips for Long-Term Winter Storage

MarthaStewart.com says a quick method is to shuck the corn and remove all silk, then "place the raw ears directly into freezer bags." Be sure to squeeze out all the air.