If you’re interested in growing corn, there are several basic corn gardening tips you need to know. These include choosing a variety, avoiding raccoons, and feeding corn to encourage pollination. Hopefully these tips will help you get the most out of your efforts. In addition to learning how to grow corn, you’ll also learn how to care for it and keep it healthy.

Planting corn

Planting corn seeds is the first step of growing this popular crop. Make sure the spacing between the rows is two to four inches (5-10cm) apart, and plant in rows of ten to fifteen plants, two rows apart from one another. You can also plant the same variety of corn in separate rows at different times. Planting corn in rows is recommended, as it will provide a succession of crops.

Corn needs full sunlight for optimal growth. So plant it in an area with at least six hours of direct sun each day. The soil should also be rich in organic matter. If you want your corn to grow well, you may need to add some fertilizer. Pollination is important for corn, as the ear develops when the pollen lands on a nearby corn stalk. During the growing season, the soil around the corn should not be too wet or dry. Excessive watering can stunt the growth of your crop and make the ear too small.

After preparing the soil, the next step is planting the corn. It is important to plant corn seeds one inch deep. Ensure the soil is well-drained to avoid seed rot. Plant corn seeds in rows about 24 to 30 inches apart and space them at least 18 inches apart. Moreover, it is recommended to thin the plants every 10 to 14 days. During the growing season, corn requires about an inch of rain per week.

Keeping raccoons out of corn

One of the best ways to keep raccoons out of your corn garden is to install an electric fence. You should set it to come on at dusk and off in the morning. You can also use reinforced filament tape to keep raccoons from damaging your corn plants. Alternatively, you can try scare tactics such as dogs, loud radios, bright lights, and aluminum pans. These tactics may work, but they are not as effective as trapping.

Another way to keep raccoons away from your corn garden is to use a floppy fence. These are usually attached to a solid fence. If a raccoon climbs the fence, it will flop over, causing the animal to release its grip on the fence and fall below the ground. If your corn is large enough, you can also wrap its ears in duct tape. This method is a good option and is recommended by many experienced gardeners.

Another effective deterrent is to use wood ash from your fireplace. Wood ash is considered an excellent fertilizer and works well in garden soil. It is also an effective repellent for raccoons. While this may not work for all raccoons, it will deter most passing ones. If you want to get rid of the raccoons permanently, you can use a humane trap.

Feeding corn to encourage pollination

One of the most important factors for corn to produce a crop of tasty, healthy kernels is pollination. Pollen must fall on each kernel to produce a fully-developed kernel. In hot and dry weather, this process can be hindered. In order to encourage pollination, plant corn in blocks of three rows or more.

Corn plants need warm, rich soil and regular watering. They need to be planted in rows that are at least 400 yards apart. In addition, the soil needs to be well-draining. You can improve the soil’s drainage by adding aged compost. This will also add nutrients and enhance the soil’s structure.

Corn has heavy nitrogen requirements and needs fertile soil. Fertilization should be done weekly with fish emulsion fertilizer. You can also apply kelp fertilizer if your corn is just starting to sprout silks.

Choosing a variety of corn

Choosing a variety of corn for your garden is an important decision for growing a successful crop. Different varieties are suited for different growing conditions. It’s important to choose a variety that you’ll enjoy eating, as well as a variety that grows well in your region and is suitable for your growing season. While corn varieties come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, you should keep in mind that they are all related to the same species and are wind-pollinated. Therefore, it’s best to select one variety of corn per planting season to ensure adequate space and to avoid cross-pollination of different varieties.

Sweet corn is becoming increasingly popular and is sold at stores nationwide. It’s hard not to love the taste of freshly picked sweet corn in the summer! But to ensure a good crop, you must plan ahead. If you’re growing sweet corn for eating, you should consider sweet corn seed varieties. You should choose sweet corn varieties that are known for their sweetness and eating quality.