Corn

Growing Guide

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Where to plant

Full sun with protection from strong winds.

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Sow depth

25mm

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Space between seeds / seedlings

30-40cm

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Row space

50-60cm

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Size of pot needed (width / depth)

100cm2

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Seedling Sow Depth

3-6cm

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Best practice

Directly sown

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Germination (days)

7-22

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Maturity (days)

84-98

How to Grow

From seed

Plant in well drained, rich and fertile soil.

Beside a glasshouse or along a sunny fence is ideal.

Plant two seeds in one hole, and another two 30-40cm apart.

Continue as needed.

As the plant grows, mulch around the base of the plant.

From seedling

Plant when seedling is 7cm high or more.

Plant in fertile soil and follow 'how to grow from plant' instructions.

In a pot

Choose pot 300mm wide and deep.

Position in sunny spot protected from full winds.

Fill pot with potting mix, sow 2 seeds per pot and cover well.

Feed seedlings weekly with plant food/fertilizer.

From Plant

It is best to grow sweetcorn in a block of short rows rather than one long row.

This way pollen from the male flowers or tassels at the top of the plants have the best chance of falling on the female flowers or silks halfway up the stems.

You can grow 3 rows spaced 50-60cm apart in a bed 150cm wide.

Ready to harvest

Corn is ready to harvest when the silk or 'hair' on top of the corn is brown and shriveled and the fluid inside the kernel is milky.

If the fluid inside the kernel is still clear, the corn isn't ready.

Collect seed

Dry corn on the cob by removing the leaves and hanging somewhere dry until seeds have lost water.

Store somewhere dry, in a glass jar.

When to Grow

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Zone 1 - Cool

October , November , December

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Zone 2 - Temperate

September , October , November , December

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Zone 3 - Subtropical

January , February , July , August , September , October , November , December

Companion Planting

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Beans
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Cucumber
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Potato

Tips for Care

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Corn seeds will only germinate if the soil is warm, so choose a sunny spot!
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Kernels will only grow when there is enough pollination between plants, so grow in blocks rather than single rows.
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Corn is ready to harvest when the silk or 'hair' on top of the corn is brown and shriveled and the fluid inside the kernel is milky.

If the fluid inside the kernel is still clear, the corn isn't ready.
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After thinning scatter a side dressing of nitrogen fertiliser around each plant.

Repeat this treatment when the tassel first appears between the top leaves.
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Regular watering is needed while crops grow, particularly when it's hot weather! Corn loves a good soak once or twice a week is much better than a light sprinkling of water every day.

Pests & Problems

Pests


Caterpillars

Corn Earworm …

Problems


Blight

Downy Mildew

Rust
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