Will you be planting corn this year? If so, now’s the time to plant. Here is a quick tutorial on how to grow corn – start to finish. This year I’m trying a couple of varieties some for eating fresh and some ornamental for my fall table as well. It’s going to be fun!
Brief description
Brief descriptionCorn is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. It is a staple food that can be cooked in about a million ways. Corn is actually a grain, not a vegetable.
Where to Plant Corn
Where to Plant CornPlant corn in a sunny location in raised beds or garden beds.
How to Grow Corn – Planting Seeds
How to Grow Corn – Planting Seeds Directly sow seeds when soil temperature is at least 60 degrees. Plant seeds about 1″-2″ deep. When seeds are about 4″ thin to every 4-6″ apart, and keep row spacing at about 24″. {Over spacing corn only encourages weeds.}
Growing Tips
There are a ton of different varieties all with different maturation rates {anywhere from 60-100 days}, , so be sure to pick one that best suits your area and your planting time frame. Corn can be susceptible to disease, so keep a close eye on it so that you can manage it quickly.
How to Harvest
Corn is ready to harvest a couple of weeks after the silks appear. The silks will start to turn brown when it is time to harvest. To harvest, gently pull the corn from the stock, breaking it off.
Are you ready to start your garden but you’re not sure when you should plant your seeds or set out your transplants? Head on over HERE and you’ll be taken to a handy dandy chart that is broken down into what vegetables should be planted {or transplanted} each month in your area.
Anyone can do this. Dirt + Seeds+ Water = Food!
~Mavis
For more gardening tips, check out my gardening page.
Gardening books hold kind of a special place in my heart. I wouldn’t be the gardener I am today {or maybe not a gardener at all} if it weren’t for a few gardening books I picked up years ago. The winter of 2008/2009 I read up on gardening. I found some incredible reads that taught me so much and made me realize how much I didn’t know. So I’ve never stopped reading gardening books.
Here are just a few of my favorites, although if we’re being honest, narrowing this list down was virtually impossible. Gardening books are right up there with the bible {okay, not quite, but you get the idea!}.
My Favorite Garden Books:
- Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting
- The Complete Compost Gardening Guide
- Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre
- Sugar Snaps and Strawberries
- The Gardener’s A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food
- The Kitchen Gardener’s Handbook
Shelby says
I’m trying corn this year for the first time. I started some as seeds and some from seedlings. They are all between 4″-8″ inches now. I’m so excited for this crop. We usually don’t eat corn because it’s hard to find organic around here. If I have an over-abundance of corn for some strange reason I’m going to try making my own organic corn flour. Wish me luck!
Brooke says
I’m also growing corn this year for the first time. I read somewhere that corn likes lots and lots of food. Any good fertilizer ideas, organic, of course?
Shelby says
Compost Tea! I making compost tea right now and will be applying it to my whole garden.
Cecily says
I side dress my corn with aged chicken manure. Alaska fish fertilizer works especially well too.
Rachel says
Any natural/organic tips for keeping squirrels out of my corn bed? I’m starting my corn from seed for the first time this year, (In the past, we have always gotten seedlings from the farmers market.) I’ve planted twice already, only to wake up the next morning and find that the squirrels have dug up and eaten all of the seeds I planted. Fencing is proving useless (we have some CRAFTY squirrels in WI!) so any ideas would be much appreciated! (Love your site by the way!)
Jen says
I cover my seeds with netting or old window screens until they sprouts to keep squirrels and birds away. Last year squirrels hit our corn crop so hard we ended up having to trap them. Added some meat to the dinner table! Miss Kay has some good squirrel recipes. Not too meaty, but tasty.
Mavis Butterfield says
What a great idea!
Maya says
We have gogher problems here in CA. Have you tried making wire baskets? I know its alot of work but its worth it.
Debbie says
Planting many different kinds may not work. They pollinate through the wind and get mixed up!
Tammy says
Corn is also susceptible to raccoon….most of our corn last year got swiped! So we aren’t growing it this year, but I will for sure pick it up at the farmer’s market and grocery store!
HollyG says
My grandpa always said to be careful not to grow sweet corn and popcorn too close together. Apparently corn cross pollinates pretty easily and you end up with some that won’t pop but doesn’t taste very good either. I’m not sure if he was right, but if so I wonder if the ornamental corn shouldn’t be too close to the sweet corn. I wonder if your boyfriend, Ryan, might know.
Gordy Kilburn says
Sweet corn will cross pollinate with ornamental corn, or field corn, for that matter. It messes both of them up.
Brandie says
I was told that you shouldnt plant more than one type of corn in an area. It will cross pollinate and you wont get any good ears. Let us know how it goes!
William Dotson says
I start a flat or two of corn to give it a little head start each year and plant some directly in the garden.
Lorian Bartle says
Packing it together close is a good tip. We’re going to try to mix the planting this year with viney crops (like pumpkins) with the idea that eventually the corn grows above the vines and they can share space.
Lorian Bartle