If you want to grow corn, you need to make sure your garden is in a sunny, well-drained area. You also need to choose a variety that grows well in your region.

You can start sowing your seeds in the ground in mid-April through June or transplant your seedlings from late May to early July. You can also harden off your plants before putting them outside.

Preparation

When growing corn, it’s important to prepare the soil correctly. It can dramatically impact germination, emergence-establishment and crop growth, resulting in higher yields.

A healthy seedbed will also help deter pests, including aphids and birds. In addition, it can protect your crops from diseases such as Stewart’s wilt.

It’s also crucial to keep your corn well watered. The plant has shallow roots that can become stressed from drought.

Once tassels appear on the stalk, water about an inch a week using a garden hose or rain. Mulch helps reduce evaporation.

When corn reaches 8 inches tall, side-dress with a nitrogen fertilizer. Make another application of 1/8 pound when the first silks start to emerge.

Sowing

Corn is a popular crop for home gardeners because it takes up a lot of space and produces a sweet, juicy harvest. The key to success is learning how to sow and plant corn properly.

Before planting, amend the soil with compost and well-rotted manure. For best results, a pH of between 5.8 and 6.8 is recommended.

When sowing, use pathogen-free seed and plant at the proper depth. Cover with row covers to help hold in moisture and protect the young seedlings from birds.

Water once or twice a week, more when the weather is hot and dry. Fertilize regularly with a continuous-release fertilizer like Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Fruit & Veg Granular Food or organic Tomorite.

Corn is a heavy feeder, so it needs rich fertile soil. Apply at least an inch of compost or manure to your beds before planting.

Pollination

Pollination is one of the most important factors in producing a full crop. For example, if you husk your first ear of corn and find it largely empty, this usually indicates poor pollination.

As with squash, corn is monoecious (meaning it has separate male and female flowers on the plant). Tassels at the top of a plant produce pollen that drifts into nearby ears.

Each silk on an ear of corn contains a reproductive cell called an ovule that can turn into a kernel if it is fertilized. In order for this to occur, at least one pollen grain must fall on the ovule.

This process can take several days after a silk emerges and continues for about a month. However, many factors affect pollination and fertilization. These can include drought, heat stress, lack of water or nitrogen deficiency.

Harvest

Sweet corn is one of the most rewarding things to grow in a garden. But knowing when to harvest it can be tricky!

First, you need to watch the ears of corn on the stalks. They’ll be tiny when they first appear, and will gradually swell over time. Look for the long, semi-transparent white threads called silks that will emerge from the top of each ear and sway in the breeze as they get pollinated by the tassels at the top of the stalks.

Once the tassels on each ear have started to turn brown, it’s time to harvest. Hold an ear in your hand and carefully bend it downwards.

You’ll also notice that the kernels inside are turning milky in appearance, indicating they’re ready for pick-up. Then it’s a matter of pulling them off the stalk. Then you’ll be able to sink your teeth into a perfectly ripe ear of corn.