How to Plant, Grow, & Harvest Corn
How to plant, grow, and harvest corn, best buys on corn seeds, hardiness zones where corn grows best, how to prepare your soil to grow corn, how to keep pests and disease from ruining your corn, and more great tips for growing corn.
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Basic Growing information about sweet corn
The botanical name for corn is Zea mays. Corn is a vegetable which requires loamy soil, full sun and neutral soil PH. With proper planning, soil preparation and planting your corn in blocks you can grow the best corn possible. Check out the following step by step instructions on how to grow corn.
Hardiness Zone: Places where corn grows best
Corn grows best in zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, It is important that you do not plant corn until any threat of frost or cold temperatures has passed. If you live in the U.S. and do not know which zone you live in you can check the USDA Plant Hardiness Map to find out. Simply copy and paste the following URL into your search bar and find your location. http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/
If you live outside the U.S. you can Google search plant hardiness maps for your area.
If you live outside the U.S. you can Google search plant hardiness maps for your area.
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Corn Grows Best when planted in Blocks
Corn plants are pollinated by the wind. It is better to plant your corn in blocks (think of a square shape planting area and put one corn seedling in each corner) than in rows. Doing this will increase your chances of growing corn successfully.
When to plant corn
There are different varieties of corn which have different times to plant (Early, mid, and late afternoon varieties). The best time to plant corn is two weeks after the last Spring frost date.
Preparing the soil to plant corn
You will need a good rich soil to grow healthy delicious corn. The best way to do this is to till aged manure or compost into your garden area where you plan to place your corn seed in the Fall and then plant in the following Spring.
Germinating or starting seeds indoors
There really is no need to start your seeds indoors but if you just like to germinate seeds before planting you can germinate corn seeds. Germination occurs when the soil temperature is above 60 degrees F and above 65 degrees F for sweet varieties. If you live in a colder climate you can warm the soil with plastic covers with holes poked in it where you place the seeds (1). Find out how to germinate corn here: Go to How to germinate corn
How to plant corn
Plant seeds 1 inch deep.
Plant corn in blocks 4 to 6 inches apart.
Rows of blocks should be 30 to 36 inches apart.
"For sufficient pollination, plan your plot right. Don’t plant two long rows, rather, plant corn blocks of at least four rows.
You may choose to fertilize at planting time, corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this can be skipped.
Water well at planting time" (Old Farmers Almanac, 1).
See video below
See how and when to harvest your corn below.
Plant corn in blocks 4 to 6 inches apart.
Rows of blocks should be 30 to 36 inches apart.
"For sufficient pollination, plan your plot right. Don’t plant two long rows, rather, plant corn blocks of at least four rows.
You may choose to fertilize at planting time, corn is meant to grow rapidly. If you are confident that the soil is adequate, this can be skipped.
Water well at planting time" (Old Farmers Almanac, 1).
See video below
See how and when to harvest your corn below.
Down to Earth Bio-Fish Fertilizer
Featured Video: How to Plant and grow corn
Growing tips for planting corn
After your corn plants reach 3 to 4 inches in height you will need to thin them so that they are 8 to 12 inches apart
Be very careful not to damage the roots of your corn when you weed your garden.
Make sure your soil has proper drainage and can hold constant moisture without flooding.
Be sure to keep your corn well watered especially when there is little or no rain because corn has very shallow roots. Idealistically you should water at a rate of 5 gallons per sq. yard. Mulching can help retain moisture and reduce water evaporation (1). See pests most likely to attack your corn below.
Be very careful not to damage the roots of your corn when you weed your garden.
Make sure your soil has proper drainage and can hold constant moisture without flooding.
Be sure to keep your corn well watered especially when there is little or no rain because corn has very shallow roots. Idealistically you should water at a rate of 5 gallons per sq. yard. Mulching can help retain moisture and reduce water evaporation (1). See pests most likely to attack your corn below.
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Pests Most Likely to Attack Your Corn
Deer-Use fencing around your garden and deer repellent to keep deer from devouring your corn.
Raccoons-Use live traps to catch raccoons and call your local animal control or game warden to come and get them.
Spotted Cucumber Beetles-Use beetle traps with pheromone lure (see below).
Flea Beetles-Use a mixture of 2 parts rubbing alcohol, 5 parts water, and 1 part liquid dish soap. Spray on the foliage. You can also use talcum powder to get rid of these pesky critters.
Cutworms-Pick them off by hand, use a mixture of coffee ground and egg shells around the base of the plant or Food grade diatomaceous earth (see below) around the base of the plant.
Raccoons-Use live traps to catch raccoons and call your local animal control or game warden to come and get them.
Spotted Cucumber Beetles-Use beetle traps with pheromone lure (see below).
Flea Beetles-Use a mixture of 2 parts rubbing alcohol, 5 parts water, and 1 part liquid dish soap. Spray on the foliage. You can also use talcum powder to get rid of these pesky critters.
Cutworms-Pick them off by hand, use a mixture of coffee ground and egg shells around the base of the plant or Food grade diatomaceous earth (see below) around the base of the plant.
Cucumber Beetle Trap & Multi Pheromone Lure (2 pack)
How & When to Harvest Corn
It is very important to harvest your corn at the correct harvest time because the sugar in corn will turn to starch if harvested at the wrong time. You should harvest when the tassels start to turn brown and cobs begin to swell. Check a kernel. It should be full and milky looking.
When pulling ears from the stalk simply pull downward and twist the ear to remove it. Sweet corn quickly loses it's sweetness so you will need to be prepared to eat or preserve your corn right after you pick it. One way to quickly preserve sweet corn is to freeze it. (See How to Freeze Sweet Corn)
When pulling ears from the stalk simply pull downward and twist the ear to remove it. Sweet corn quickly loses it's sweetness so you will need to be prepared to eat or preserve your corn right after you pick it. One way to quickly preserve sweet corn is to freeze it. (See How to Freeze Sweet Corn)
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Best Ways to Store Fresh Grown Corn
There are several ways you can store your garden fresh corn. You can freeze it, can it or dry it. Find out how to do it here: Go to How to Store Corn
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This website created by Rev.Penny Dean
Health & Nutrition Tips/Health & Beauty/Budget Tips/Car Tips/Cleaning Tips/Exercise Tips/Energy Savings/Fossil Fuels/Lawn & Garden Tips/Healthy Hair Tips/Free Printable Lists/Old Fashioned Recipe's/Skin Care Tips/How to Grow Vegetables/How to Can Fruits & Vegetables/Vegan Tips/Anti Aging Tips/How to Get Rid of Home & Garden Pests/Eating Plants & Herbs for Good Health/Safety Tips/Weatherizing Tips/Home Repair Tips/Spring Cleaning Tips/Fall Cleaning Tips/Yard Sale Tips
Contact Us: [email protected]
This website created by Rev.Penny Dean
References:
1. Corn, planting, growing, and harvesting sweet corn. http://www.almanac.com/plant/corn
2. Video: icultivate. (Jan. 1, 2015). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wi14xGf8Nc
1. Corn, planting, growing, and harvesting sweet corn. http://www.almanac.com/plant/corn
2. Video: icultivate. (Jan. 1, 2015). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Wi14xGf8Nc