Corn
Corn has been grown in North and South America for centuries. It was a stapple of many Native American tribes. It comes in many colors, sizes, and has a range of sweetness.
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N/A |
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Zea mays |
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Intermediate |
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Intermediate |
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3 years if properly stored |
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Annual |
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6-8 days |
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Kandy: 8′-8.5′ tall Bloody Butcher: 10-12′ tall |
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Full Sun |
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89 days |
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8” ears silks should be brown and dry |
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April and May |
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Yes |
Growing Tips
When to Start
Spring: Direct sow when soil temps are between 60-90 F and at least 2 weeks after the last average killing frost. (Mar 15-Jun 1 for GA. Mid-May for Jefferson, GA)
How to Start
Try the 3 Sisters Method. You can also just use the mounds for the corn or use 6 rows with 24-36 inches between rows. Corn is a warm-season vegetable requiring soil temperatures between 60-90 degrees. Avoid planting seeds in cool soils. Wait until at least two weeks after the last average killing frost before planting. If planted too early, weak stands, stunted growth or frost-killed seedlings may result.
Choose a sunny area. Corn needs 8-10 hours of full sun. Prepare the soil by breaking it up and raking the soil. Next, build a mound about 12 inches high and between 18 inches and 3 feet in diameter. Mounds should be 3 to 4 feet apart in all directions.
Care
Water is vital to ensure a good stand of corn. Corn requires a minimum of 1 inch of water per week for normal development. The most critical periods for water are during pollination and final ear filling. Water slowly and deeply to moisten the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Irrigate in the early morning or early evening to allow foliage to dry before dark. Soaker hoses placed alongside rows are an excellent way to irrigate corn and conserve water.
Soak four to seven corn seeds overnight and then plant them about 6 inches apart in the center of each mound. (You’ll eventually thin to three or four seedlings.) After a week or two, When the corn is at least 4 inches high, plant beans and squash. Soak six pole bean seeds and plant them in a circle about 6 inches away from the corn. (You’ll eventually thin to three or four bean seedlings.) At about the same time, plant four summer or winter squash seeds next to the mound, about a foot away from the beans, eventually thinning to one.
If you are planting a large area, you can also sow the squash in separate mounds (1 foot in diameter) between every few corn and bean mounds.
As corn plants grow, weed gently around them and mound soil around the base of each stem for support. When the corn is knee-high and again when silks appear on the husks, “side dress” by putting a high nitrogen fertilizer on the soil surface near each plant. If beans aren’t winding their way around the corn, move the tendrils to the stalks. To allow room for corn and beans to grow, gently direct squash vines into walkways, garden edges, or between mounds. If you pinch off the tips of squash runners after several fruits have started to form, the plants will devote more energy to producing squash.
Harvest
Allow the corn to fully mature on the stocks. Sweet corn is approaching maturity when silks have dried and turned brown. Once this happens check the corn by pulling the husks down on one ear of corn to see if the kernels are a good size.
Pro Tip!
Incompatibles: Not recommended to plant with tomatoes as both deal with the same pests
Grows well with: Cucumber, melons, pumpkins, and squash
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
All Corn is wind-pollinated and will cross with other varieties. Isolate 1-2 miles.
Instructions
Allow corn ears to mature past the eating stage and dry on the stalks. Harvest them as soon as they are dry as rain will cause rot or sprouting. If you’re worried about birds, tie a paper bag over them and secure it with a string Harvest your chosen corncobs after the rest of your crop. Leave them on the stalk for an extra two or three days. Remove the corn from the bags and peel back the husks to expose the corn kernels. Leave the husks attached and bunch them together or braid them.
Tie a string to the corn husks and hang the corncobs upside down in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Allow the corn to dry out completely; this can take two to three months. The corn kernels will be hard to the touch when they are ready. Hold the corncobs over a container and use your hands to brush the seeds away from the cobs. Visually inspect each kernel to ensure that they are intact and bugs haven’t gotten to them.
Features
- Bloody butcher corn is good for flours, cereals and roasting.
All corn is wind-pollinated and will cross with EVERY other variety.
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