Sweetcorn is it ready to pick?

[Rosyred]

The tassels are just turning brown should I pick now or wait till they are more brown?

[Rosyred]

[keef]

The tassels need to be very brown (choclit colour) and very dry. The kearnels should produce a milky coloured liquid when squashed.

If the tassels have only just gone brown, i'd leave them a few more days.

[tim]

Or more!

And if you split the sheath to check, DO seal it up well or the 'wigs will get in!!

[Rosyred]

Thats why I thought I would ask I i've never grown them before and would hate to pick too early.

[colleenemp]

I've grown some for the first time this year too! They all look very impressive, went and picked 2 yesterday, and yup....too early! Will wait at least a week before even thinking about picking any more!  ;)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Peel the leaves back off one and have a look before you start picking. That way you won't waste any.

[tilts]

Make sure you have some sort of protection around them, went to lottie last night and found the neighbours sweetcorn dessimated by badgers or foxes, cobs strewn and shredded all over the place.

[saddad]

Foxes? We have at least seven on site and have never had any problems with damaged cobs, hope I haven't spoken too soon. Chantenay recommended waiting til the end goes blunt as a good indicator... avoiding those last few cms of undevelopd kernels... and somebody suggested using large plastic bottles over the whole cob...
8)

[telboy]

Rosyred,
Keef's advice is accurate. One thing to remember is pick them/straight home/blanch & into the freezer.
The sugars turn to starch very quickly.

[Rosyred]

Telboy i'm hoping to pick, cook and eat as quickly as possible from picking to obtain super fresh taste.

How do the supermarkets manage to store there sweetcorn? Like Sainsbury selling them for 27p each I had to stop myself buying some on Wednesday.