Wednesday, November 28, 2012

In the Garden Spotlight: Sweet Corn

I wish I had planted Sweet Corn last year.  I thought I didn't have to room but I was wrong.  Had I read more about the Three Sister's method I would have planned ahead and made it happen.  I recommend Heirloom Seeds ONLY.  Sweet Corn is a very common GMO crop and I refuse to poison my garden with it!


The 2 varieties I have chosen are Stowell's Evergreen and Country Gentleman Sweet Corn.
Stowell's Evergreen Sweet Corn
90-110 days.  Released commercially in 1856.
This delicious white sweet corn is regarded as the "King of All White Sweet Corn Varieties", has been popular for over 162 years.  

Stowell's Evergreen matures slowly over a long period, extending the usual harvest and produces 9 inch ears with 16 to 20 rows of plump, sweet white kernels.
It has a good shelf life, and is a good option for eating fresh, canning or freezing.

Country Gentleman Sweet Corn
90 days.  The ears reach 7-8 inches long and produce a sweet and delicious, white kernel.  The ears have no rows, as this is a shoepeg type, and kernels are packed in a zigzag pattern.  Country Gentleman was introduced around 1890 by Frank Woodruff & Sons.  One of the best heirloom sweet corns.

As you can see, the Stowell's Evergreen has uniform rows while the Country Gentleman rows are a zigzag pattern.

Companion Plants for Sweet Corn are: Amaranth, beans, cucumber, white geranium, lamb's quarters, melons, morning glory, parsley, peanuts, peas, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower.

From the Growing from Seed page:
To ensure an early crop, sow sweet corn seeds either indoors or in a heated greenhouse.  I recommend using Peat Pellets or something like it do the delicate roots are not disturbed.  Corn does not transplant well.
Seeds should be sown in warm conditions, covered very lightly (depth of ¼ inch) and kept reasonably moist until seedlings emerge. 

The sweet corn seedlings should germinate after 10 – 12 days, and once they have fully emerged the weakest seedling from each pot should be removed.  If you choose to direct-sow, thin Seedlings 6-8 inches apart.
Water well and if they are being germinated indoors - move to a warm, bright windowsill.
Do not over water.
The young Sweet Corn plants can be planted into their final positions once all danger of frost has passed – around the middle of May, but remember that they will need to be hardened off for a week or so before hand. This can be achieved by either bringing them back under protection over-night or placing them under a cloche or poly-tunnel outside.
Plant corn in well-drained soil with lots of organic matter.  Grow in full sun.  Mulching around your corn will help keep the free of invasive weeds during the summer.  Plant with beans, cucumber, melons, morning glory, potato, pumpkin, soybeans, squash and sunflower.  For complete details, read Companion Planting 101.
Non-gmo Sweet Corn seeds
 I know it's almost December and most of you are thinking about buying gifts and decorating for Christmas.  Me?  I'm thinking about what I'd like to grow in the Spring.  In order to get the best harvest with the least issues you must plan ahead!

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am intrigued by the Three Sisters method. Thank you for sharing. I definitely want to try it this coming season.

Stop by and visit us sometime at:
Duck and Cover with the Dork Duo

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

This was the first year I tried corn and it did not do well. Hopefully next year if I try again it'll fare better. Thanks for the tips!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

I love sweet corn! It's one of my favorite things in the world actually, haha. I really want to grow it next year.

Visiting from Rural Thursday :)

Tammy
ourneckofthewoods.net

Katherines Corner said...

This is interesting. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things Hop. xo

Mary Smith said...

Thanks for stopping by ladies and Happy Saturday! There are more "spotlights" coming up.

Don't forget to enter the Seeds in a Stocking Giveaway. Enter to win 3 heirloom seed varieties of your choice in a mini-stocking!
http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2012/11/2013-heirloom-seed-announcement-and.html

Unknown said...

I want to come eat out of your garden, we can do tomatoes.... period. Thanks so much for sharing on super Sweet Saturday.
Steph
swtboutique.blogspot.com

Nicole said...

That looks so delicious and healthy. Thank you for your dedication to the heirloom seeds and keeping these old varieties alive and well!

Barb said...

I didn't realize that corn could grow 2 different ways on the cob. The shoepeg variety is pretty cool to look at.

Thanks for sharing your tips at Fabulously Frugal Thursday.

Home Instructed Students said...

Thanks for coming to the HomeAcre Hop. Come back and see us this week: http://everythinghomewithcarol.com/self-sufficient-homeacre-hop-3/