After loosing our tomatoes to frost, the newly planted ones are doing well. The peppers are recovering after being pinched back, the beans have emerged. Our potatoes are showing new growth and the onions and beets are going strong. Now with the threat of frost behind us, it's time to plant our corn.
There is an old proverb that says:
"One for the Blackbird, One for the Crow, One for the Cutworm, and One to Grow".
We start by spreading compost and fertilizer where our rows of corn will be planted. We then work the compost and fertilizer into the soil taking care to go about 4 inches in depth as we'll plant our corn 1-1/2 to 2 inches deep.
Once completed Candy let's us know it's time to take and break and play ball.
Corn must be planted in squares, or blocks as it is pollinated by the wind. Planting in long rows would prevent pollination and ears would grow, but with few kernels.
As the saying goes, you should plant more seeds than you think you need because often, only 75% will germinate. But I don't really think you have to plant 4 times as many seeds as necessary. Our seeds are planted 4 inches apart in rows that are 30 inches apart. When the plants are 3 to 4 inches tall, we will thin them to 8 to 12 inches apart.
After planting, its a good idea to tamp the row down so the seeds make good contact with the soil.
Water and wait. With a little bit of luck we will be running ears of corn from the garden to a pot of boiling water on the stove, and enjoying the freshest, sweetest corn you can imagine! Stay tuned.
