From YourSITE.com
Sweet Corn Gardening Tips
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Oct 19, 2005 - 11:10:00 AM
Corn has its origins in the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica. It was domesticated from the wild annual grass teosinte (Zea mexicana). See Aztec Gardens for more information on common garden plants that have their origins in Mesoamerica.
Sweet corn comes in three different varieties, Sh2, (supersweet), SUSU (normal sugary), and SESE (sugary enhancer). Supersweet corn is firm and very sweet. Normal sugary corns have a creamy flavor and are mildly sweet. Sugary enhancer varieties are often the most popular with gardeners because of their smooth texture and sweet flavor.
Check out this great ebook with recipes using sweet corn and other plants.
The Soil:
Corn needs to be planted in well-draining soils to avoid rot. Adding compost to the soil is always a good idea. Compost can help achieve a proper pH and better drainage. See this site for more info: Compost Guide.
Plant your seeds about one inch deep and a foot apart in each row. Soil temperatures should be about 60 degrees F for proper germination, and slightly higher for the supersweet varieties. With sandy soils, you should plant your corn a little deeper. Groups of four to five rows will help stimulate pollination, with a distance of about two and a half feet between rows.
Growing Conditions:
Corn needs full sun to grow well, with about eight hours of sunlight a day.
When planting your corn, take into account that different corn cultivars can easily cross pollinate. If you want to grow different kinds of corn, separate them by at least 250 meters. Also, look out for other people close by who are growing corn.
Caring for your corn plants:
Corn requires regular, consistent watering, with plenty of water. The soil shouldn’t dry out too much, so water more frequently if the weather gets hot and dry.
Weeding is very important for gardeners growing corn in the home garden, as common pests and diseases often make their home in weeds and garden debris. Use a hand cultivator to remove the weeds. If you’re growing a large amount of corn, you can consider a handheld electric cultivator
This site from New Mexico State University has lots more great tips on growing sweet corn .
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