JUST WONDERING HOW PEOPLE PLANT THEIR SWEETCORN.
(oops left caps on)
Ive read of two ways the tradditional block (32 plants)
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
X X X X X X X X
or grouping in 3's (45 plants for the same room)
XX XX XX XX XX
X X X X X
XX XX XX XX XX
X X X X X
XX XX XX XX XX
X X X X X
might try the grouping this year as
easier to stake 3 plants to a stake (required in Buxton)
easier to access groups slightly further apart
easier to earth up 3 a a time
easier to implement 2/3 sisters system
possibly better pollination (definately if in the g/house with a shake the plants system)
easier mulching/feeding?
however there are obviously 3 root systems together.
how do people plant theirs
I have always stuck to the recommended 18".
Quite apart from the nutrient demand, I like to be able to keep them clean.
I plant them like this:
X X X
X X
X X X
X X
(Sorry - not a very good graphic, but you get the general idea.)
I've got 4 foot wide beds & I can just fit 3 across, so if I put 2 on the next row I can squash them up a bit and still keep them about 18" apart. The same works for things like caulis & kale as well.
Last year, I planted mine 9" apart, 8x4 in a raised bed. I had 32 huge corns and about 15 smaller secondary ones. I planted my first batch out yesterday under cover. 2 weeks earlier than last year.
You can see the results on :-
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_sweetcorn.html
I am working to my plan of staggering the plantings.
8-10inches apart for regular yeild corn,but a foot apart for large or multiple cob varieties, no more than a foot though,rows 30 inches apart, minimum 4 rows.if planting less don't decrease rows just make then shorter making a block. Less between , rows is not an aid to pollination and the roots need space. Wider spacing than a foot between plants allows weeds and ,corn should not be weeded for long. Weed around young plants only till knee high, then leave it alone,corn has shallow roots,weeding around mature plants makes them unstable and risks damaging their roots. They are heavy feeders.
XX Jeannine
I agree Jeannine, but I mulched mine last year and had virtually no weeding to do. In any case you are right, if they are close together the weeds cannot compete with the vigorous, shallow rooted corn.
http://www.allaboutliverpool.com/allaboutallotments_Vegetables_sweetcorn.html
thought the bean weevil had taken over for a moment !
what would you recommend to feed them with ?
While we're on sweetcorn, aren't there any varieties (other than mini) that give several cobs per stalk.
Quote from: Barnowl on April 19, 2007, 16:51:33
While we're on sweetcorn, aren't there any varieties (other than mini) that give several cobs per stalk.
i thought they all did - I generally get 2 / 3 per stalk (or none)
I was going to plant mine
[potatoes]
x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x
[ peas ]
x x x x x x x x
x x x x x x x x x
[potatoes]
With the first 2 rows being split into 3 variatys inc Sweetcorn - bloody butcher, Sweetcorn - F1 Applause &
Sweetcorn - Golden Bantam.
The second row Sweetcorn - Mini Pop, Popcorn & Sweetcorn - Sweet Sensation
I plan to sow in 2 week intervals to delay any glut and intend on keeping the majority of the mini-pop corn in the freezer and use the rest as they ripen.
What do you think?
Cambourne7
Hi Cambourne, I would encourage you to plants in 4 half rows rather than 2 full rows.The corn is wind pollinated and in still times the outside rows are the ones that have the most difficulty. Often people wonder why they have better pollination in the middle and that is the reason.
It might bear repeating here if someone doesn't know.
The one tassle right at the top of the plant is male,the ones that come off at and angle at the sides are females. That guy up there has to really shake his booty to get to the girls, a lot of his pollen is blown away.In a block it is more useful.
Usual number of cobs? Well one is usual and is what you will get with the older corn, 2-4 are more usual with the modern hybrids. I like corn that only produces 2 personally. The cobs are larger and there are more seeds per pod. Multiple cobs produce smaller ones. Commercail growers usuaully settle for 2 . Mini corn isn't pollinated so size is not an issue,they therefore produce more.
The ground suckers ( tillers) grow when ground is exceptionally fertile, they will not give you more yeild as they usually grow past the time the fellow up at the top is chucking it around. There is no need to remove them.
XX Jeannine
Hi Jeannine,
There is only going to be about a 3inch gap between the 2 sets of rows i did not think that it would matter as i am planting between the planting tolerances of the rows. Non of the peas will reach the same height of the corn with the exception of the mini pop which i should be able to fit 3 rows in.
Do you still think i need more rows :-\
Cambourne7
The corn will grow 6 feet, will you peas be OK XX Jeannine
peas should be ok they will still get light and i will water extra
I'm planning normal corn which I've grown for several years but also planning some mini-pop - I have heard that if the MP pollinates the normal corn it will be starchy. I know you remove the MP before pollination so couldn't I remove the top tassel from the MP so it doesn't pollinate the normal corn? I won't have them in the same bed but I've only got a small back yard plot so I can't get them very far apart.
PS woke up in the night worrying about this - how sad is that? :)
Dont worry MM your amongst friends :-)
Ain't telling you about my dreams :o - I'm wearing nicotine patches and they keep waking me up too.
I have been planting very tender lamb chops under cloches in my dreams for a while XX Jeannine