Zea mays
HEIGHT: 120cm.
DISTANCE APART: 30cm
WHEN TO HARVEST: A corn cob is ready to harvest when the silks that poke out of the top turn from creamy white to brown and the ear stands out at an angle from the stem.
HOW MUCH WATER: Water every day unless it rains.
WHERE TO PLANT: Full sun
CAN I GROW THEM IN A POT? Yes but the pots need to be at least 30cm deep and should be grouped to help with pollination. Fill the pots with premium potting mix. Plant the seedlings and then water. Place them in full sun but in an area protected from wind.
CAN I GROW THEM IN A GARDEN BED? Yes, corn is best in the garden. The garden bed must get at least 6 hours of sun every day. Mix some compost or animal manure into the soil, plant the seedlings and water lightly. Plant the seedlings in a group instead of a neat line as this will help with pollination. Spread some mulch such as pea straw or lucerne hay over the soil and water the area well.
BEST BUDDY PLANTS: Corn has lots of best buddies! Plant it amongst cucumbers, melons and squash or use its tall stems as a climbing frame for beans, peas and sugar snaps.
OTHER ‘SMARTY PLANT’ TIPS:
- When you get your seedlings home, let them sit in a shallow tray of water which has had a tablespoon of seaweed solution added for an hour or two. This will get them ready for transplanting.
- After planting, water the seedlings with a very soft hose or a watering can several times a day until they settle in.
- Apply liquid fertiliser every two weeks.
- Sweet corn relies on the wind to bring the pollen from the top of the plant to the sticky silks at the tips of the ear which is why they should be planted in a group instead of a long line.
There’s more information at the Smarty Plants website.