Do you love fresh corn? If so, you’re not alone.
Corn is a food that most people take for granted. After all, it’s a primary ingredient in many of the food items and recipes that you enjoy each and every day. It’s a plentiful crop that’s relatively easy to grow, and it tastes delicious.
It’s also a popular crop to grow during the holiday season. That’s because many people enjoy creating their own corn maze for Halloween. If you’ve ever wanted to know how to grow corn on your own property, you’ve come to the right place for help.
This article takes a look at basic corn growing tips that will tell you everything you need to know to get started. Keep reading to get the inside scoop.
Understanding the Basics
Let’s discuss the basics of corn for a moment. This is an annual crop that can grow from 4 to 12 feet tall. Each stalk can grow up to two ears on either side. Tassels are male flowers on the corn plant, and kernels and ear are the female flowers on the plant.
Where to Plant
When planting corn for personal consumption, you’ll need to plant up to 20 plants for each member of the household. Thus you’ll need to have plenty of space, especially in a family of 4 or more people.
Your corn crop will need full sun. It’s also important to understand that corn grows best in soil that’s well-worked and well-drained, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.8. Adding aged compost is also beneficial for the growing process.
Check out Franz Witte for more landscaping ideas.
Ideal Conditions
Your crop needs to be planted after the soil has reached a temperature of 60°F. This is typically 2 to 3 weeks following the final frost of the spring. Keep in mind that corn grows best when the air temperature is between 60° and 95°F.
Spacing Your Corn
Corn seed should be planted 1 to 1 1/2 inches deep in the soil, and around 2 to 4 feet apart in side-by-side rows. That’s because corn planted too closely together will require more water and fertilizer.
Proper Watering and Feeding of Your Crop
Corn needs plenty of water in order to produce a healthy crop. Just be sure to avoid overhead water, because when the water hits the tassels it can reduce the number of kernels that grow on each cob.
The key is to make sure your crops get plenty of water and aged compost.
Protecting Your Corn From Pests
Corn generally gets attacked by a wide range of insects. These include wireworms, flea beetles, corn earworms, and cutworms. Thus you need to keep your garden free of the type of debris that earworms and borers love. You should also consider using fences and traps to keep out pests such as raccoons and other rodents.
Growing Corn in a Container
If you’d prefer to grow a small amount of corn, you can use a 5-gallon container. This will allow you to easily care for 5 or 6 plants.
A Complete Guide to How to Grow Corn
Producing your own vegetables can be fun yet challenging. These tips for how to grow corn will help you get started.
Keep scrolling to discover more great landscaping and home improvement tips on our blog.
