 |
Sweet corn must be grown in full sun, where shelter from strong winds is provided. It is not too particular about the soil, although it hates clay because sweet corn sends down deep roots, it prefers a deeply dug bed.
|
 |
|
Sweet corn pollinates best when sown in a block, so for planting, a minimum area of 1.2m (4 ft) square is required. Sweet corn will only grow from seed at soil temperatures above 10C (50F), but they stand their best chance at over 16C (60F).
|
|
A little care and planning in the early stages will go a long way to ensure that tasty sweet corn can be grown successfully in many areas
|
|
 |
Sweet corn must be grown in full sun, where shelter from strong winds is provided. It is not too particular about the soil, although it hates clay because sweet corn sends down deep roots, it prefers a deeply dug bed.
|
|
Sweet corn pollinates best when sown in a block, so for planting, a minimum area of 1.2m (4 ft) square is required. Sweet corn will only grow from seed at soil temperatures above 10C (50F), but they stand their best chance at over 16C (60F).
|
|
A little care and planning in the early stages will go a long way to ensure that tasty sweet corn can be grown successfully in many areas
|
|
Sweet corn ears should be picked during the "milk stage" when the kernels are fully formed but not fully mature. The kernels are smooth and plump and the juice in the kernel appears milky when punctured with a thumbnail. Sweet corn remains in the milk stage less than a week. Other signs that indicate when the corn is ready for harvest are drying and browning of the silks, fullness of the tip kernels and firmness of the unhusked ears.
|
 |
|
Sweet corn can be tested for ripeness by pressing a kernel with your fingernail - if they are ripe, this will show a creamy coloured liquid from inside the kernel. If the liquid is watery, the sweet corn needs more time to ripen; if the liquid is almost like dough, the sweet corn is over-ripe. Start this testing when the silks (long silky threads which grow out of the cobs) turn brown and start to shrivel.
|
|
