Corn - A Favorite Of Most
by John Yazo
Corn is one of the most favorite and versatile crops that are grown in the home garden. cornmeal, grits, popcorn and the most traditional sweet corn are all among the list of the most favorite foods. It is also a crop that is used in many crafts and as a decor for certain holidays.
It is a crop that is mistaken for needing a large area of land to grow, this is not necessarily the case. It can easily be grown in small cluster of 5 o 6 plants and produce a yielding crop. Growing it in clusters also makes it a convenient method when using the stalks for holiday decor.
Corn is a crop that does not tolerate frost, plant it to early and you can loose your entire crop and it doesn't transplant well. If you have a short growing season you can still start your seeds indoors by planting then in individual peat pot so that they can go directly into the garden without disturbing there root system. If you are planting planning on sowing seeds directly outdoors wait until all dangers of frost have past and the soil temperatures are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The area that you are planting your corn in should be where there is full sun and also a wind protected area. The soil should be one with good soil structure. Corn is a heavy feeder of nitrogen, planting it in an area where there has been previous crops like alfalfa, beans or clover that enrich the soil with the nutrients corn needs to thrive will greatly benefit your crop.
Sow seeds directly in the garden when weather is warm enough, 1 inch deep and 8 to 12 inches. Corn has a germination rate of about 75 percent, plant in groups of 3 seeds together when sowing your seeds and pinch off at ground level all but the healthiest plant in each group once they germinate.In about 7 to 10 days you should be able to thin your plants to about a distance of 18 inches apart.
Corn needs about 1 inch of water per week, especially when the stalks begin to tassel. Feeding corn by side-dressing them with blood-meal or a diluted fish emulsion when the plants are about 6 inches tall and repeat this again when the plants are about knee high.
Once the corn silk appears on the corn it takes about three weeks before the corn is ready to harvest. Check the ears by pulling back part of the husk to check for ripeness by piercing a kernel with a fingernail. If when pierced a milky liquid appears, they are ready to harvest and be cooked and eaten or stored for latter use by refrigerating or freezing.
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