Planting Small Batches of Sweet Corn: A Guide
Planting small batches of sweet corn allows you to enjoy fresh corn throughout the growing season. Here's how to achieve success:
1. Choose Your Varieties:
* Early Maturing: Select varieties that mature in 60-75 days, like 'Early Sunglow,' 'Sweetness,' and 'Silver Queen.'
* Late Maturing: Opt for varieties that mature in 80-90 days, like 'Jubilee,' 'Honey and Cream,' and 'Golden Bantam.'
2. Planting Schedule:
* Early Batch: Plant your early variety 2-3 weeks before the last frost date in your area.
* Later Batch: Plant your later variety 3-4 weeks after the first planting. This allows you to have continuous harvest throughout the season.
3. Site Preparation:
* Sunlight: Sweet corn thrives in full sun (6-8 hours daily).
* Soil: Choose well-drained, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
* Amendments: Incorporate compost or aged manure to improve soil structure and fertility.
4. Planting:
* Spacing: Plant seeds 1-2 inches deep and 12 inches apart in rows 2-3 feet apart.
* Direct Sow: Sweet corn is best planted directly in the garden. Avoid transplanting as the roots are sensitive.
* Thinning: Once seedlings emerge, thin to the strongest plants, leaving one plant every 12 inches.
* Staggering: For longer harvests, stagger planting your later batch by a week or two to extend the season.
5. Care:
* Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week.
* Fertilizing: Side-dress with a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) a month after planting.
* Weed Control: Keep weeds under control to reduce competition for water and nutrients.
* Pest Control: Monitor for pests like corn earworms and aphids. Use organic methods like row covers or handpicking for control.
6. Harvesting:
* Timing: Harvest corn when the silks have turned brown and the kernels are plump and milky.
* Method: Snap the ears off at the base of the husk.
* Storage: Fresh corn is best eaten immediately. If storing, remove the husks and freeze the kernels.
Tips for Small Batches:
* Companion Planting: Plant beans, squash, or sunflowers alongside your corn for pest control and beneficial insect attraction.
* Trellising: For limited space, consider using trellises to grow corn vertically.
* Succession Planting: Once your early batch is harvested, plant another round of late-maturing varieties to extend the season.
By following these steps, you can enjoy fresh sweet corn from your garden throughout the summer!
