Sweet Corn
Growing sweet corn in the home garden
allows you to enjoy the freshness of cobs harvested at the correct
time. These are much nicer than market sweet corn because the latter
loses its creamy succulence in transit and storage. Many of the modern
hybrids mature in 8-9 weeks instead of 12, and the semi-dwarf varieties
demand little space.
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Requirements to grow Organic Sweet Corn
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A sunny position and a well-drained soil
with plenty of organic material added plus either fowl manure or a
dressing of complete plant food. The addition of lime or dolomite is
also an advantage in all but naturally limey soils or those limed
within the previous 12 months. Plant in a block of several short rows
to assure better pollination. Pollen from the tassels at the tops of
the plants must reach the silks at the tip of the cobs to achieve
pollination of each kernel.
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Planting time for Growing Organic Sweet
Corn
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In tropical districts with warm winters
sweet corn can be sown at any time. In semi-tropical and warm temperate
areas it is sown from early spring until February or with the
quick-maturing types until March. In cool districts it is best to wait
until October and continue through to January or until February for the
quick-maturing 60-day types.
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Cultivation for Organic Sweet Corn
- Sow seeds 2-3 cm deep and 8-10 cm
apart in short rows about 50 cm apart. Keep well watered and apply a
light dressing of fowl manure or complete plant food when plants are
about half-grown.
- Crops are ready to harvest when the
silks shrivel. A more definite test is to peel back the sheath and
puncture a kernel toward the base of the cob. It should exude a
creamy juice. If thin and milky the cobs are stall immature, or if
not present the corn is over-mature and will be tough.
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Special problems in Organic Sweet Corn
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The corn earworm or caterpillar sometimes
enters the cobs and eats out sections. Once it gains entry it is
difficult to control but at first sign of its presence spray liberally
with Carbaryl to protect the later maturing cobs.
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