Can sweet corn be planted near popcorn in the garden?

Question:

Can sweet corn be planted near popcorn in the garden?

Answer:

Sweet corn should be isolated from popcorn and field corn to prevent cross-pollination.  The quality of the sweet corn will be lowered if it’s cross-pollinated by other types of corn.  For example, sweet corn pollinated by popcorn will be tough and starchy.  Cross-pollination can be prevented by planting sweet corn 250 feet away from other types of corn.  Cross-pollination can also be avoided by planting the various types so they mature (tassel) at different times and by avoiding prevailing winds when planting.