First, corn needs a little extra space for healthy growth compared to other crops. So make sure you have enough room before starting! But if you don’t, you can give baby corn a try.
Is there anything sweeter than homegrown corn? Corn on the cob, grilled on the barbecue, is a showstopper that brings height and interest to your Yummy Yard.
Growing corn takes extra effort, but it’s absolutely worth it! Corn is a heavy feeder, so you must prepare the soil properly. For the best results, stagger your sowings and plantings to ensure a steady supply of kitchen-ready corn that is fresh and at its peak. It is key to understanding how to grow corn successfully.
When to Plant Corn
Most gardeners sow corn directly in the garden soil to avoid disturbing the sensitive roots during transplanting.
Corn is highly sensitive to frost, so wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 60°F (16°C) or 65°F (18°C) for super-sweet varieties. It typically occurs 2 to 3 weeks after the last spring frost.
If you live in an area with a shorter growing season, opt for an early variety that matures before the first fall frost. You can speed up soil warmth by covering the ground with black plastic and then sowing seeds through holes in the plastic.
To extend your harvest, plant another round of corn a couple of weeks after the first round.
How To Plant Corn
To plant healthy and juicy corn, all you need to do is follow these steps on how to grow corn:
Soil Prep
Choose a warm, sheltered, sunny site, shielded from strong winds, with fertile soil for the best corn growth. Cobs won’t ripen if they don’t get full sun and sweetcorn struggles in dry or heavy soil.
Start by clearing the site of weeds, then enrich the soil with two bucketfuls of garden compost or well-rotted manure per square meter/yard. For an extra boost, rake in a high-potassium general fertilizer, using three handfuls per square meter/yard.
Sowing
- To speed up germination, moisten the seeds, wrap them in moist paper towels, and store them in a plastic bag for 24 hours.
- Since corn is wind-pollinated, it’s crucial to plant in a block rather than a single row. For good pollination, aim for a block of 10 to 50 plants. It increases the chances of pollen from the male tassels at the top of the plants drifting down to the female silks below. Inconsistent or incomplete kernel development where cobs are only partly filled is usually due to poor pollination. The silks at the end of each cob carry pollen to the kernels, and each strand connects to one kernel. For full cobs, every silk must be pollinated.
- Sow seeds 1½ to 2 inches deep, 12 inches apart, and space rows 2½ to 3 feet apart. Avoid planting too close together to ensure your cobs grow to a satisfying size.
How To Grow Corn
Want to learn how to grow corn of your dreams? I know It’s frustrating when gaps appear in your cob’s kernels, but with the proper planting technique, you can achieve perfect pollination. Here’s how to grow corn in your garden:
Watering
Water young corn plants regularly until they’re well established and growing strongly. Sweetcorn especially benefits from extra watering during dry spells, mainly when flowering and as the cobs begin to swell. Keep the soil consistently moist to ensure your plants thrive and produce juicy, full cobs.
Mulching
Mulch the surface of the soil with a thick layer of garden compost to retain moisture and suppress weeds. It helps keep the soil cool and reduces the need for frequent watering.
Weeding
Weed regularly, especially when the plants are young, to prevent competition for nutrients. If hoeing, take care not to damage the shallow roots. To protect them, add more mulch or soil to cover any exposed roots.
Supporting
Sweetcorn plants can reach up to 2m tall, depending on the variety. Their height makes them vulnerable to wind damage. Strong winds can loosen the roots and stunt growth. If your plants are being buffeted, support each one with a bamboo cane, or insert several canes around the perimeter of the block and secure them with string to create a sturdy windbreak.
How to Harvest and Store Corns
- Harvest the ears when the kernels in the center of the ear are whole and “milky” when squeezed.
- Silks will start to dry and brown around harvest time, usually 18 to 24 days after the silks first become visible. The exact timing will depend on weather conditions.
- Depending on the corn variety, it may retain its quality for one to seven days in the refrigerator.
- For preservation, sweet corn can only be canned if processed using a pressure canner.
- Freezing is also an excellent method to preserve sweet corn.
