When planting corn, there are a few things you should know to ensure the best possible yield. During the planting process, be sure to watch for signs of disease. Luckily, most of the most common diseases are preventable if you follow some best practices. Keep your garden clean and pest-free to reduce the risk of any problems. This includes fertilizing, watering, and pruning.

Wind pollination

Whether you are growing your corn for a backyard garden or for a large commercial farm, you want to make sure that you’re getting as much pollination as possible. The best way to do this is to plant your corn in several rows. This way, the wind will be able to move pollen from one corn plant to another.

Wind pollination is vital for full cobs. The pollen lands on a silk strand and spreads to other plants nearby. Pollen grains are relatively heavy and can travel less than 50 feet from their source, but they can travel up to 500 feet in a fast wind.

Watering

When planting corn, it is best to provide frequent watering to keep the plants healthy. Whether you’re planting it directly in the ground or in an above-ground planter, you’ll want to water regularly to keep the soil moist. Depending on the weather in your area, watering once a week may be enough.

When planting corn, the soil should be moist but not wet. You should also avoid overwatering the plant. It is a good idea to water in the mornings, because this allows the soil to absorb the water and prevents it from drying out in the hot afternoon. Once the corn seedlings have three to four leaves, thin them to leave about eight inches of space between them. Ensure proper irrigation, as poor irrigation can reduce yields.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing corn before planting is vital to the success of your crop. Corn is a heavy feeder, so it needs plenty of nutrients. Before planting, prepare your entire garden plot and add organic compost to provide the essential nutrients. Nitrogen helps the plant absorb sunlight and phosphorous is necessary for a healthy root system.

Fertilize the soil regularly, every six to eight weeks, during the growing season. Fertilize less frequently in winter as light levels decrease. Fertilizing your corn plant too soon can result in it turning yellow or even dying. Also, keep in mind that corn plants need time to adjust to their new conditions and heal from root damage. Never fertilize sick corn plants.

Pruning

Pruning your corn plant is an essential step in the corn-growing process. Proper pruning removes dead tissue and promotes healthy growth. It is best to prune corn plants every three weeks to encourage vigorous growth. Pruning should be done before the plant starts to sprout new leaves. After pruning, the plant will recover quickly.

Pruning your corn plant is best done in the spring when the plant is about six inches tall. The reason for this is that corn plants grow faster when they receive indirect sunlight, rather than direct sunlight. When pruning, remember that corn likes indirect light. It is important to keep the foliage healthy and free of brown marks.

Temperatures to plant

As we begin the first week of May, soil temperatures are forecast to rise. After a cold front passed through the state on April 13, temperatures have been trending downward. The next few days will see temperatures increase again, but they will be cool due to more cold air on the way. This can cause some producers to delay planting corn until later in the week. If this happens, spring planting will fall behind schedule.

The optimal temperature to plant corn varies from variety to variety. For example, plants that prefer warm soil have lower threshold temperatures than those that grow in cooler soils. In addition, some hybrids are more susceptible to cold than others. If you want to be sure that you have a reliable seedling, you should test the seeds to determine if they can tolerate cold.

Diseases to watch for

If you want to grow healthy corn, there are a number of diseases you should be aware of. These diseases can reduce the yield and cause crop loss. You can prevent these problems by using proper planting practices. Below are some examples of diseases you should watch for when planting corn. The symptoms of these diseases include leaf spot and cob rots.

Bacterial leaf streak: This disease is a fungus that can infect corn. It manifests itself by causing small, black lesions on the leaves. It usually appears in the middle of the growing season. It affects the leaves and husk, and has been known to cause significant yield losses in tropical areas. The severity of the disease depends on many factors, including timing and relative maturity.