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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Hazelb on July 02, 2012, 09:31:10

Title: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Hazelb on July 02, 2012, 09:31:10
I'm sure it is, but my sweetcorn has been a disaster so far. Are there any late varieties I could try?
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Flighty on July 02, 2012, 09:43:59
They need about 14 weeks between sowing and picking, with plenty of sunshine, so I really wouldn't bother.
Mine are little more than ankle high having sowed them 5 weeks ago and I'll be surprised if I get any cobs. 
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Hazelb on July 02, 2012, 09:54:16
Shame, they are one of my favourites off the allotment.

Looking at other peoples plots there seems to be a range of success, but most aren't doing well.

Next year will be better, I'm starting a list, Sweetcorn, tomatoes, courgettes.......

Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Digeroo on July 02, 2012, 10:58:11
I normally plant a late batch about now, but not going to bother this year.

I have one batch sheltering behind broadbeans which is doing ok almost waist high.  Rest very slow off the mark.    The best of the rest is also about ankle high.  

Hoping for a heatwave in October.   ;D

I would say give it a try if you do not mind failing.

Perhaps a mini corn as they are quicker.
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Stevens706 on July 02, 2012, 12:30:50
You could always buy some plants from a garden centre and catch up that way
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: non-stick on July 02, 2012, 12:34:49
Given the price of seed being relatively cheap and September/October being warmer lately what's to lose. You never know you migyt get lucky. Depends if you have the space earmarked for anything else
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Digeroo on July 02, 2012, 15:24:46
I would not choose a late variety but actually a fast maturing early.
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: chriscross1966 on July 03, 2012, 08:13:07
If you can't find decent plants in a GC (I'd rate it as unlikely though) then you will want the fastest cropping variety you can get.... something like Lark or Swift or Sundance maybe? They're all quick and generally avaialble adn fromexp[erience I'd say Sundance is very nice... growing Swift and Mirai this year to trial adn unless they're exceptional I'll be going back to Sundance next year.... My sweetcorn is doing OK, but I've improvedmy soil with a lot of manure and they are moderately sheltered by the big manure heap for the pumpkins...
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Hazelb on July 03, 2012, 15:00:48
I had to go to the garden centre of some bird seed and was tempted by their sweetcorn. A pot of about 12, 10-12" high, at only £3.99, when a packet of seeds would be £2.99. So I decided to give it a go.

Pot has been duly watered and sweet corn will be planted tomorrow.

I'll let you know how I get on  :P
Title: Re: Is it too late to plant sweetcorn seed?
Post by: Jayb on July 03, 2012, 22:15:24
Go for it  ;D


I've got some in rootrainers I sowed a couple of weeks ago, I hope to plant them out end of next weekish if the swamp/plot has dried up. Sounds like yours are ahead of mine  :)