Backyard gardeners love sweet corn (Zea mays), and it’s easy to see why. Corn can be harvested 60 to 100 days after planting, depending on the variety, if it is fertilized correctly and the soil and growing conditions are properly managed.
Preparation of the Soil
Prepare the soil prior to planting and fertilizing the corn. Plant the corn in an area where it will receive eight to ten hours of direct sunlight per day. To ensure adequate wind pollination, make sure the area is large enough to accommodate more than one row of corn. When growing corn, make sure the soil is well-drained. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension recommends adding compost or well-rotted manure in the fall of the year prior to planting. Soil fertility and drainage will both be improved as a result of this.
Make sure the soil is fertile and has a pH level suitable for growing corn by conducting a soil test before planting. Soil testing services can be found at your local cooperative extension office or other public or private labs, so do some research. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recommends a pH of between 5.5 and 7.0 for corn. If you have sandy soil, magnesium deficiency may be an issue.
Make sure the garden is free of weeds and other debris. Soil should be worked to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Use a spade or rototiller only if the soil is damp but not soggy. Large clumps of soil may form, or the soil may become compacted and poorly drained.
Fertilizing and planting Corn
Fertilizer should be applied based on your soil test results. If your soil’s pH needs adjusting, use lime. Without conducting a soil test, apply a balanced 10/10/10 fertilizer to a depth of 3 to 4 inches in the soil to get the nutrients you need. According to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, for every 100 square feet of garden space, 2 to 3 pounds of fertilizer should be used. Before planting seeds, rake the soil to a smooth finish.
Corn shouldn’t be planted until the risk of frost has passed completely. According to the University of Georgia Extension, seeds germinate and grow best at temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Seed germination may be hindered or stunted by cold soil. Seeds should be sown about 3 to 4 inches apart and about an inch deep in the ground. Corn should be thinned to about 12 inches apart after the seedlings have sprouted. Make sure to have at least two rows and space them at least 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart for optimal pollination.
Planting all at once or waiting until the first planting has grown three to five leaves before starting the next batch is up to you. With successive planting, you can have a steady supply of fresh corn all year long.
Requirements for Ongoing Fertilizer and Maintenance
Good corn yields require regular irrigation and fertilization. Throughout the growing season, corn necessitates adequate watering, but especially when the ears begin to form. Rainfall or supplemental irrigation should provide the plants with 1 inch of water each week. If the soil is sandy, it may require more water and fertilizer than if it is heavier, like a loam.
The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension recommends that corn be sidedressed when the stalks are between 15 and 18 inches tall. Every 100 feet, the University of Georgia Extension advises using 3 to 5 pounds of 34-0-0 fertilizer, which is high in nitrogen. Apply the fertilizer in a trench next to the corn rows to sidedress. Apply the fertilizer by lightly covering the area and working it into the soil. During the growing season, apply the additional high-nitrogen fertilizer two or three times, making sure to follow the directions on the package for each application.
Common Mishaps Can Be Prevented
According to the University of Georgia Extension, too much nitrogen can cause corn stalks to fall over. On the other hand, a lack of fertilization can result in poor kernel development. To make sure your corn plants get enough nutrition, use the results of a soil test and these general guidelines for fertilizing corn. Additionally, a lack of water during the silk development process and poor pollination due to a lack of rows or plants that are too far apart affect the development of corn kernels.
Weeds can spread viruses, so keep them out of your garden. When removing weeds, be careful not to harm the roots of the corn plant. Consider using mulch to keep weeds at bay around your plants. In addition, this helps to keep the soil moist. You should remove any infected corn plants from your garden as soon as possible in order to prevent the disease from spreading to other plants.
Pests like cutworms, aphids, corn beetles, and earworms are common in the field of corn. These pests are frequently dealt with through the application of pesticides. Apply the pesticide in accordance with the label’s instructions for use on corn.
Considerations for harvesting
The University of Georgia Extension recommends harvesting corn three weeks after silk strands appear. This can take anywhere from 60 to 100 days after planting, depending on the sweet corn variety you’re using. Observe the silks as they darken and begin to dry out. Check the kernels for smoothness and size by gently peeling back the husk. When you poke the kernel with your fingernail, it should pop open.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the best times to harvest ripe corn are in the early morning or late evening when it is cooler. To remove the ear from the stalk, simply twist it in a downward direction. To avoid damaging the main plant, keep your hands on the stalk.
Prepare your corn as soon as possible to get the most flavor out of your meal. To extend the shelf life of corn, store it in the refrigerator, still in its husk, for up to two days. You may want to consider canning or freezing the corn if you can’t eat it within two days. Because the sugar in the corn is rapidly converted to starch in warmer temperatures, the flavor of freshly harvested corn can be lost in as little as 12 hours.
