Growing Your Best Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is a summer favorite for everyone. We all have fond memories of eating corn on the cob at summer picnics and grill-outs; it is an essential summer side dish. Many gardeners regard sweet corn as a garden staple that they cultivate every year. But, homegrown corn may not be the best crop for all of us. In this article, we'll explain the basics of growing your own sweet corn at home, and how to determine if this tasty vegetable is right for your garden.
The first and most important consideration in growing sweet corn is space. If you are lacking for planting area, or if you prefer to garden in containers, then sweet corn is probably not the crop for you. Corn is pollinated by wind, meaning that it's essential to plant it in blocks at least four rows wide. If corn is planted in one long, single row, you'll get a disappointingly low yield of edible ears.
Corn is a crop with sufficient water and nutrient needs. When planting corn, be sure to work a good fertilizer that's high in nitrogen into the soil. Throughout the growing period, add additional side dressings of an all purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer, as needed. Corn should be watered regularly. During the three or four week period from pollination to harvest, the plants should receive at least one inch of water per week. Setting up a drip irrigation line may aid in this process, and will also ensure that you don't disturb the plants too much during the pollination process.
Corn is a vegetable that requires a long, hot growing season. Corn plants are easily killed by frost, and prolonged temperatures below 40 degrees will seriously injure the crop. For best results, corn requires a growing season of 75 to 90 days of temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees. Of course, very few climates will meet this ideal, but it's usually possible to successfully grow corn in all regions ranging from Mexico to Canada, provided that the seeds are not planted too early in the year.
To get a head start on your corn, seeds can be planted indoors as early as a couple weeks before the last frost date. Once the seedlings are at least two inches tall, you can plant them outdoors, being careful not to disturb the roots. Corn seeds can also be sowed directly into the garden, if you want. Whether sowing indoors or out, you can help the seeds germinate more quickly by soaking them overnight in room temperature water before planting.'t germinate or those that might be eaten by birds or other garden pests.
It's important to harvest sweet corn immediately before cooking it. Sweet corn has a very high sugar content, which begins to convert to starch very rapidly after the ears are harvested. Sweet corn purchased in the grocery store, which is what many people are accustomed to eating, has very low sugar content relative to freshly picked ears. This is one of the reasons why homegrown sweet corn is an extra special treat.
In short, the most important keys for growing sweet corn are plenty of space and a long and warm growing season. There are many varieties to choose from, and modern hybrids will give you greater disease resistance and higher yields. If you enjoy gardening and have never grown sweet corn before, why not give it a try? By following our simple steps, you'll produce an excellent crop, and you may decide that this is one vegetable that's worth growing year after year.
About the Author
Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, an online retail store offering free shipping on a variety of gardening products, including compost tumblers, greenhouse kits, and more. Visit us at http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/Building_A_Greenhouse_s/147.htm
What happens to the Corn Cob after the corn is processed?
After they take the corn off the cob, does the cob just get thrown away, or is it used for something?
Sometimes they are fed to hogs, sometimes they are burned as biomass for heat.
Astrobuf
 |
 Lot 22 Pc Royal Norfolk Burgondy Stoneware Dinnerware $45.00 Time Remaining: 52m Buy It Now for only: $45.00 |
 Set Of 16 Pcs Lierre World Market Dinnerware France $50.00 Time Remaining: 52m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Set Of 13 Pcs Lierre World Market Dinnerware France $75.00 Time Remaining: 52m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 |
 New Portable Dinnerware Set Chopsticks Fork SpoonPink $0.01 Time Remaining: 1h 41m |
 Mikasa Dinnerware CURVE Khaki 4 PC Place Setting $9.99 Time Remaining: 2h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 16PC LILACS BLOSSOMS BLOOM DINNERWARE CERAMIC dishwasher microwave safe NEW $59.99 Time Remaining: 2h 55m |
 Homestead Dinnerware Antique Alabaster At Home America 4 Utility Bowls Nib $18.99 Time Remaining: 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $22.00 |
 Todays Home 14 Peice Black Dinnerware Set $12.00 Time Remaining: 4h 17m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 |
 Asian Dinnerware Copper Serving Bowls Set of 2 $18.40 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 4h 29m |
 Kitchen Dinner Ware Stainless Steel 65 Length Forks Pair $4.35 Time Remaining: 5h 59m |
 American Atelier Mirabel Paprika 16 Piece Dinnerware Set $76.79 Time Remaining: 6h 20m Buy It Now for only: $76.79 |
 Ninja Chopsticks dinnerware sushi mate $14.99 Time Remaining: 6h 42m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 Vietri Italian Dinnerware Rosso Vecchio Red Footed Mug Cup NEW $34.00 Time Remaining: 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $34.00 |
 Vietri Italian Dinnerware Red Glass Snowflake Round Platter NEW $50.00 Time Remaining: 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $50.00 |
 Vietri Italian Dinnerware Rosso Vecchio Red Dot Dipping Bowl NEW $20.00 Time Remaining: 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $20.00 |
 DINNERWARE FINE CERAMIC GOLD PRESTIGE SERVICE FOR 8 $19.99 Time Remaining: 6h 52m |
 Epoch Dinnerware Somerville Pattern Set of 3 Cereal Soup Bowls $0.99 Time Remaining: 7h 13m Buy It Now for only: $2.99 |
 Green Dinnerware set Mugs Tea Cups big plates smaller plates $7.99 Time Remaining: 7h 18m |
 Gibson Antica Roma Dinner Dinnerware Set Service 16pc $115.09 Time Remaining: 7h 26m Buy It Now for only: $115.09 |
 Pottery Barn White Dinnerware $29.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 28m |
 CHRISTMASSNOW GEESE16 PIECEPORCELAINDINNERWARE SETBRAND NEW $59.99 Time Remaining: 7h 33m Buy It Now for only: $59.99 |
 House Dinnerware Floral Print Bamboo Chopsticks 10 Pair $8.68 Time Remaining: 7h 37m |
 16 Piece Stoneware Dinnerware Set Black $24.99 Time Remaining: 8h 13m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Dinnerware Round Tip Stainless Steel Chopsticks 5 Pairs $8.38 Time Remaining: 8h 15m |
 NEW The Cellar Dinnerware Whiteware Rim 4 Piece Place Setting $12.00 Time Remaining: 8h 23m Buy It Now for only: $25.00 |
 Dots Decorative Handle Spoon Fork Chopsticks Dinnerware $4.37 Time Remaining: 8h 39m |
 Corelle Vive New 16 Piece Dinnerware Set Strong Lightweight Chip Resistant $72.48 Time Remaining: 8h 57m Buy It Now for only: $72.48 |
 Wedgwood Pashmina 5 Piece Place Setting 5C10690222 Fine Bone China Dinnerware $119.99 Time Remaining: 8h 59m Buy It Now for only: $119.99 |
 Porcelain Fine China Tea Mocca Dinnerware set $87.11 Time Remaining: 9h 1m Buy It Now for only: $87.11 |
 22 KT GOLD KING QUALITY FINE DINNERWARE TRAY 13 $0.99 Time Remaining: 9h 8m |
 Noritake Kona 16 piece Dinnerware Set service for 4 $100.00 Time Remaining: 9h 8m Buy It Now for only: $100.00 |
 Spaulding Dinnerware by Melmac Gray Divided Serving Bowl $5.00 Time Remaining: 9h 13m |
 20 PIECE DINNERWARE SET FOR FOUR $14.50 Time Remaining: 9h 25m |
 PRESTIGE BAVARIAN CREST Bavaria Cup Saucer Set S sets Dinnerware $6.90 Time Remaining: 9h 38m Buy It Now for only: $6.90 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware 16 TABLE TRAY Slate Gray $64.95 Time Remaining: 9h 42m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware TABLE TRAY White 16x8 $64.95 Time Remaining: 9h 46m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 ONLY 10 Piece Set Spode Christmas Tree Dinnerware Set MISSING 2 MUGS $84.99 Time Remaining: 10h 8m Buy It Now for only: $84.99 |
 Silvery Stainless Steel Cutlery Dinnerware w Brown Case $5.72 Time Remaining: 10h 9m |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware TABLE TRAY Blue 16x8 $64.95 Time Remaining: 10h 9m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware TABLE TRAY Turquoise 16x8 $64.95 Time Remaining: 10h 12m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware Serving Tray Brown $64.95 Time Remaining: 10h 15m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 Vintage Pyrex Corningware Flirtation Dinnerware Serving Plates $14.99 Time Remaining: 10h 18m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Fun Filled Party Sushi Dinnerware Serving Set + Windup Sushi Toys Great Gift $9.95 Time Remaining: 10h 24m |
 Couple Yelow Plastic Handle Spoon Fork Chopsticks Dinnerware Set w Bag $13.15 Time Remaining: 10h 24m |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING 16 Table Tray Red $64.95 Time Remaining: 10h 25m Buy It Now for only: $64.95 |
 LOT OF 3 DINNERWARE PASTA BOWLS LENOX BUTTERFLY MEAD BRAND NEW FINE PORCELAIN $38.99 Time Remaining: 10h 30m Buy It Now for only: $43.99 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Gray 110 oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 34m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL White 110 oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 34m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Red 110 oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 Dinnerware Round Tip Stainless Steel Chopsticks 5 Pairs $8.35 Time Remaining: 10h 38m |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Green 110 oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 7 Stackable Multi colored Nesting Bowl Set Dinnerware Kitchen Decor $22.99 Time Remaining: 10h 40m Buy It Now for only: $25.99 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Brown $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 42m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Turquoise 110 Oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 43m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 TALIESIN Frank Lloyd Wright WHIRLING ARROW Dinnerware SERVING BOWL Blue 110 oz $68.95 Time Remaining: 10h 51m Buy It Now for only: $68.95 |
 Travel Spoon Chopsticks Fork Dinnerware Set w Holder Case $7.15 Time Remaining: 10h 59m |
 Natural Eco Friendly Leaf VerTerra Dinnerware Plate Aspenware Lot Biodegradable $49.99 Time Remaining: 11h 12m |
 Pagnossin Treviso 16 piece Ivory Dinnerware Set Italy $34.99 Time Remaining: 11h 12m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 |
 New Kashmir 16 pc Dinnerware Set $79.99 Time Remaining: 11h 13m |
 Corelle holiday Christmas Square Dinner Dinnerware Set Service For 4 16pc $69.15 Time Remaining: 11h 29m Buy It Now for only: $69.15 |
 |
Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set Sale Price: $14.95  |
 |
Ginsu 04817 International Traditions 14-Piece Knife Set with Block, Natural List Price: Sale Price: $21.95 You save: $28.04 (56%) |
 |
Simply Calphalon Nonstick 6-Piece Bakeware Set List Price: Sale Price: $24.99 You save: $5.00 (17%) |
 |
Pyrex 6021224 Storage 10-Piece Set, Clear with Blue Lids List Price: Sale Price: $14.99 You save: $5.00 (25%) |
 |
Govino Plastic Wine Glass Flexible Recyclable Shatterproof (Set of 4) List Price: Sale Price: $12.95 You save: $7.15 (36%) |
 |
Cook N Home 15 Piece Non stick Aluminum Soft handle Cookware Set List Price: Sale Price: $54.09 You save: $15.90 (23%) |
 |
China Dinnerware Storage Deluxe Microfiber Protects List Price: Sale Price: $21.69 You save: $12.29 (36%) |
 |
China Cup Storage Chest - Deluxe Quilted Microfiber (Light Gray) (13"H x 15.5"W x 5"D) Sale Price: $11.93 |
 |
Libbey Stonehenge 30-Piece Tumbler Glasses Set List Price: Sale Price: $19.99 You save: $5.00 (20%) |
 |
Oneida Tuscany 20-Piece Flatware Set, Service for 4 List Price: Sale Price: $27.46 You save: $32.54 (54%) |
Corn Cob
Thank You. We hope you found the
Corn Cob
you were looking for.