Warm conditions made for an abnormally quick growth rate for Iowa's sweet corn crop this year, and that's why it's already being sold here in Marshalltown much earlier than years past.
Kevin DesPlanques, owner of Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn out of Grimes, Iowa, said he got an early start at planting due to the abnormal weather and the perfect amount of precipitation.
"We were able to get our seeds in earlier than expected," he said. "We've been able to sell a little bit in the past week, but our crop is completely ready now."
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T-R PHOTO BY LUKE STALZER
Sammy McConeghey, left, of Johnston, helps a customer pick out some sweet corn on her first day of work this summer at the Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn stand. The stand is located in front of Hy-Vee Drugstore on South Center Street in Marshalltown and will be here through mid-September.
DesPlanques, a professional artist by trade, takes some time off from his full-time job in the spring and summer preparing for the sweet corn season. DesPlanques said his family farms nearly 300 acres of sweet corn and other crops that will be available for purchase soon - also earlier than expected.
"We should have our melons and tomatoes by this weekend," he said. "This is the earliest those have ever been ready."
DesPlanques has been selling his sweet corn in Marshalltown for the past 13 years and will continue to sell throughout the summer all across central Iowa.
"We travel all around the state and will sell through around mid-September," he said. "And as long as we keep getting some rain, we'll have an exceptional crop."
Peaches and Cream Sweet Corn is located on South Center Street in Marshalltown in front of Hy-Vee Drugstore.