Can I plant corn??

[azgreenb]

I just got my garden in over the weekend. Just a small plot for the family, 20x50. I have a couple of questions:
Is it too late to plant corn?

The previous two years that i tried corn it got about knee high, then just quit growing So this past winter I dumped on a bunch of horse manure/bedding to get the organic content up. before planting this weekend I double dug the garden and there were nightcrawlers everywhere. So I assume that I have gotten the soil in a better state.

Is it OK to add blood meal? Even though I assume that the nitrogen level would be fairly high due to the manure. Will it hurt?

 

[dooleysm]

Regarding the skunks in the live traps. I've always heard that you need to tie a long rope or string or whatever to the trap. If and when you catch a skunk you use the rope to drag the skunk and trap to your pond and toss the whole works in.

This is the best justification yet for getting your wife on board with digging a pond.

 

[N80]

This is what the corn looks like as of this weekend. When it was about knee high I side dressed it with 34-0-0. I have had to water it a couple of times because it has been dry. However, we have gotten a few decent rains at critical times. Its hard to tell from this picture but the taller stalks are now close to 5' and it is looking pretty healthy. There are no tassels yet, but what I'm assuming are the pollen heads are starting to emerge. I guess it will tassel pretty soon.

Someone mentioned putting sevin dust on the corn when it tassels. Where do I put it, and how?

I've also planted another patch right beside it. Its coming up a bit scraggly since it went through s dry spell with record heat. Plus, I think I missed some seed holes with the seed so its a bit spotty.

 

[ray66v]

Someone mentioned putting sevin dust on the corn when it tassels. Where do I put it, and how?

Funny, I was just thinking yesterday, while in the garden, that it was probably time to remind you of that.

You need to dust the silks when they appear. One time should do it. But, some come out later than others, so be patient at first. You can buy a can of the dust with a built in applicator, or buy a duster, (whirly spinning crank thing that shots the stuff like a blower).

Your corn looks perfect.

You may have missed your planting window on the second batch. Too early, it won't grow. Too late, it won't grow.

Your next and final challenge is to decide when to harvest. I like to get the ears when the kernels are just slightly smaller than full grown. They have a tender crispness at that point, they tend to loose as they become more mature. Do some testing with your variety to see what you like.

When they are ready, the silks will turn brown. And if you feel the tip of the corn below the silk, it will have lost its point, and become more rounded.

Enjoy!

My wife and I like to make big batches of fried corn: Cut the kernels off the cob and fry in butter, add a small amount of chopped green or red bell pepper, and onion, and some sugar if you like. Cook until slightly brown. To die for! This is also a good way to freeze some of you excess. This dish is also a good way to make some of the mediocre corn you buy really good.

 

[dooleysm]

When my grandma used to make fried corn she fried it in bacon grease and added the crumbled bacon back to it when the corn was done. It was good, but I love plain old corn on the cob and I don't think fried corn is any better. With good, fresh corn I don't even bother with butter or salt, I just eat it plain.

 

[N80]

With good, fresh corn I don't even bother with butter or salt, I just eat it plain.

Me too. And with this Silver Queen you apparently need to eat it as soon as you pick it as the sugar starts to turn to starch very quickly.

I'm afraid that the deer are going to enjoy it plain too. I'll be lucky to get an ear.

 

[N80]

Your next and final challenge is to decide when to harvest.

Thanks for the tips Ray, but as mentioned, I think the deer will make that less of a challenge for me.

 

[ray66v]

You should have enough for everyone, inc. the pesky deer.

The latest research shows 2 fences 4+ feet high about 5 feet apart are very effective against deer. The researchers found even though the deer could clear the fences, they have poor enough depth perception, that they could not tell, so they would not try.

When hunting season comes, advertise a free six pack, to anyone who bags a deer on, or around you property. (That ought'a do it)

 

[N80]

Electric fence, like poly wire...or just anything?

I got the hunting part covered.

 

[ray66v]

They said any kind of fence seemed to work. And recommended 5' or more. (I guess in case the figure it out).