corn

whens the best time to plant.
many thanks jd

 

Sweet corn? Start some off in pots "indoors" now, plant out after danger of a late frost has passed (please put your location in your "User CP" and then we will know where you are :thumb

Mine only take 3 weeks from sowing to needing to be planted out, so don't sow more than 3 weeks before "last frost date", and start hardening off 2 weeks after sowing. Obviously if, in three weeks time, the 7-day forecast suggests any frosts you can hold them back.

 

P.S. Don't mix varieties, it will spoil the kernels on the cobs, don't believe the packet it it says otherwise!. If your neighbours are growing sweetcorn club together and buy the same variety.

 

dont forget to plant in blocks, not rows.

 

yeh they are going to be planted in blocks. i already have some seedlings to plant. will they be ok. as they are about 8 inches high. or should i just start some more.

 

They should be OK. No frost forecast for a week around these parts ... but be prepared to cover them (or sacrifice them) if we have a late frost. Start some more off for a second batch too (and in case the first batch snuff it)

 

yeh good idea. i can plant them out then. to see if they cope. ill sow somemore tomorrow.
thanks

 

Sorry to jump in here... what is the reasoning in not planting in rows please?

 

Sweetcorn is wind pollinated. If you plant in a row chance are wind will blow across it, rather than along it, and the pollen will not find other plants. With a block the wind, whichever direction it blows, will carry pollen from the first plant it hits onto those "behind" it.

Giving the plants a gentle wiggle, on still days, will dislodge the pollen onto the "silks" of the developing cobs below, and on adjacent plants, to ensure that they are fully pollinated (otherwise you get "gaps" in the rows of corns on the cob for the ones that did not get pollinated)

If you are growing mini-corn this doesn't apply (as the cobs are "mini" because they are unpollinated :thumb so they can be grown in a row.

 

Hey Snowbaby,

You jump in wherever you want mate, never stopped me:D

Polination, simple as that, more likely to get corns forming if they are in a block.

I'm planting mine out this afternoon. Afraid its 2 different varieties though, Mr Mouse thought half of Atticus's multi coloured ones would make a good snack, so i've bought some in to make up the numbers.

Doesn't really matter, as just as they are ripening, Mr Badger will have the lot overnight.:DOH:

 

you can also help them along buy polinating your self. by hand.

 

And thanks again chappies and chapesses

 

oh 1 more question.
whats the minimum block size to use. as i am planting,well going to plant in a row of about 10 by 3, will that be sufficient. or there about anyways,
was going to do a block of 4 by 8 but room wont alow it. for the spot i have chosen

 

3 x 3 would be the minimum, 4 x 4 would be better.

I plant then in my raised beds, which only allow 3-across, but they are in batches of about 15 - so 5 x 3

 

yeh, same here. bed only allows me. 3 across.
thanks