How to Grow Corn
Growing Corn = Moderately Easy!
Growing corn in a home garden isn't particularly difficult, but it does present some challenges that can be discouraging. Namely, growing corn takes a lot of space, and it's tough to keep the pests (primarily raccoons) away.
For Growing Corn:
- A warm frost-free growing season. (You need 3 months of frost free weather to grow corn.)
- Plenty of sunshine.
- Corn is a heavy feeder. Enrich the soil with compost, well rotted manure, or fertilizer.
- If your growing season is long enough, make a new planting every week, to enjoy a longer harvest period.
- Always plant several rows together (3 minimum) for wind support and better pollination.
- If planting more than one variety, be sure to allow adequate space between crops, or they can cross-pollinate.
How to Grow Corn:
- Test the soil. Corn prefers soils with a pH level of 5.5-7.0. This will produce the best results when growing corn. (Improve the soil, if necessary.)
- Once the soil temperature is at least 60 degrees, you can start making plantings. (If it's colder than 60 degrees(F), the seed won't germinate and it will most likely rot in the soil.)
- Dig rows 2 feet apart, 10" deep.
- Add a layer of well-rotted compost or manure to the bottom of the rows. then cover with dirt, so the furrows are 4" deep.
- Place the kernels in the furrow, allowing 10" between them.
- Cover with soil, and then water the rows.
- Water as needed, to keep the soil moist by not drenched (or the kernels can rot). Seedlings should start to appear in about two weeks.
- Water throughout the season, to keep the soil moist, but not drenched. However, always water at the base of the corn plant, and never water from the tassels down. Otherwise, you'll inhibit the plant's pollination efforts.
- Fertilize corn every few weeks with a liquid fertilizer such as compost tea, liquid kelp, or fish emulsion.
- Harvest the corn when the kernels are plump and juicy. When you crush a kernel, the juice should be milky, when the corn is ripe.