Growing Corn

Though growing corn is easy, it does require ample care and attention. It is true that corn can be planted almost anywhere, but it does require sufficient sunlight to ripen and plenty of space to grow. Apart from this, to get that sweet flavor in your corn, you need to make sure the soil is rich and well drained. There are many varieties of corn that can be sown into your garden. Each variety has its own specific requirements that should be strictly adhered to. You can enjoy the sumptuous taste of the vegetable by growing it in your garden, with the help of the tips given below.

How to Grow Corn

Material Required

Compost Makers
Corn Seeds
Electric Fences
Fertilizers
Fish Emulsions
Garden Spades
Garden Thermometers
Garden Trowels
Mulch
Pinwheels
Plants

Instructions

To grow sweet corn, choose a site that receives ample sunlight and has soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8. Corn requires rich, moisture-retentive and well-drained soil. Moreover, digging in plenty of compost and well-cured manure is also required to ensure a blooming crop.
If some time of the growing season has passed, you can buy corn plants from the nursery. Otherwise, you can plant seeds outdoors, at least a week after the last frost, when the soil temperature reaches at least 55 deg F.
The seeds should be sown 1 to 1 ½ inch deep into the soil and 4 to 6 inches apart. For best results, plant the seeds in hills, with several plants grouped in clusters, rather than in long rows.
When the plants become 3 to 4 inches tall, thin them to a foot apart. After this, mulch the ground when it becomes warm, to prevent weeds and retain moisture.
Make sure you supply an inch of water to the plants every week. Do not water from above, as it will wash away the pollen.
Nourish the plants with a balanced liquid organic fertilizer thrice i.e. when they are 10 inches, 18 inches, and when tassels appear.
Reap the crop when husks turn dark green, silks get dry and brown, but are still supple, and full-size kernels reach to the top of the ear. This usually happens 20 days after the silks appear.

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