Corn is a popular vegetable all over the world. This vegetable requires large space to grow, at least three rows with space of three feet in between the rows. The space allows for pollination to take place effectively. The pollination takes place from the tassels of the corn. There are several types of corn that can be grown. These include the bi-color corn, yellow corn, white corn, ornamental corn, broom corn and pop-corn. The process of growing the corn no matter the variety selected is the same with different dates of maturity for each type. It can be grown as follows.
- Select a spot that is sheltered from the wind but exposed to full sun. The spot should have garden soil that is rich and has good drainage. Ensure that the soil is rich in manure or amend it with the compost to enrich it. This ensures that the soil will not dry up first during the hot season.
Corn Field
- Dig the soil in preparation for the planting ensuring that the soil and compost are properly mixed. Before sowing the seeds that have already been selected apply adequate fertilizer.
- Sow the seedlings in a rectangular patch or at least four rows this will serve to protect the plants from strong wind. Sow the seeds directly into the ground instead of planting them in pots and then transplanting them.
- In each hole, sow two seeds at a depth of approximately one inch into the soil separating the holes with a gap of 18 inches. After the germination, uproot the weaker seedlings. This is referred to as thinning.
- Protect the plants as they grow from birds with netting.
- Keep the weeds down but ensure that you do not hoe too close to the corn. In some cases, the roots may appear at the base of the stems. These should be covered using compost. Where the variety of corn grown is the tall type, one may have to erect support for the plants using stakes.
- Tap the top of the tassels regularly to aid in the pollination of the plants.
- Apply soluble fertilizers to the plant once the corn combs begin swelling.
- Each plant will produce a number of combs that can now be harvested. Before harvesting, test whether they are ripe. This is done by looking at the tassels which should turn brown once the plant is mature. One can also squeeze a number of grains with a finger nail. If the discharge is cream like then the corn is ready for harvesting.
With the wide range of corn varieties to plant, select your preference and try out sthis simple process of growing corn.