Getting Ready to Plant Sweet Corn
Before you even consider planting sweet corn in your garden, you first need to get your plot ready to grow. While corn grows in a variety of different soil types, you should always amend your soil before planting. Til several inches of organic compost into the ground to provide an excellent growing environment for your corn seeds.
You should also add an organic fertilizer to the ground before you plant your sweet corn.
Choosing Your Corn Seeds
Even if you know you are planting sweet corn, you may not know that there are many different varieties of sweet corn seeds from which to choose.
Some of the more popular varieties of sweet corn seeds include:
- Aces: Has a high yield and matures in about 75 days.
- Latte: Matures in about 70 days and has ears that can be eight inches (20 cm) long.
- Sweetness: Another early-ripening variety that you can pick about 70 days after planting.
Tip: If you plant more than one variety, remember to plant the seeds at least 100 feet (30 meters) away from each other to prevent cross-pollination.
Planting Sweet Corn
Planting sweet corn is the same as planting any other kind of corn. If you know how to plant field corn, you know how to plant sweet corn. Be sure to read the seed packet for planting instructions specific to the variety of corn you are planting.
Generally speaking, you should plant your corn in blocks rather than in rows, and you should also be sure you have at least 12 inches (30 cm) of space between each plant. Additionally, you should space each row approximately 2.5 feet (~1meter) from the next row.
Caring for Sweet Corn
After planting your corn, be sure to fertilize it regularly with an organic fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. You should also plant your seeds in full sun, water[/link frequently, and control the weeds. As long as you provide all of the elements your corn needs to grow, the reward will be all the fresh sweet corn you can eat.
