Your comments and tips

19 Feb 25, Pamela White (USA - Zone 8a climate)

Any tips for insect control or fertilizing corn?

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03 Mar 25, Faith Celeste Archer (Canada - Zone 7b Mild Temperate climate)

Corn needs BORON -- similar to sunflowers. Water once with the following: 4 liters (1 gal.) of water mixed with 2.5 mL (1⁄2 tsp.) of borax. This is your typical laundry borax - I use MULE Borax (The only ingredient in Borax is a naturally occurring mineral called sodium tetraborate. It's free of phosphates, chlorine and other chemicals.-- this is a salt - so only apply once or twice in a year). IF POSSIBLE - and this is not always possible -- plant a few teosintes plants nearby -- these are WILD corn and for some reason domesticated corn grows much better with a few teosintes around (there can be 3 teosintes for an acre of corn). The teosintes are know as corn coaches/grandparents and corn is much more productive when there grandparents are present -- yes this sounds folklore like -- but it has been proven - and does seem to work really well. Also corn benefits from rich soil/compost and lots of nitrogen to help them grow, followed by more potassium once they get to the stage when they are developing cobs. ‘Sweetcorn is a grass and so it loves nitrogen, especially in the early stages. However, applying too much once the cobs form will promote more vegetative growth rather than ripening the cobs. Hope this helps - good luck.

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15 Feb 25, Nancy McAlary (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I have been growing corn for several years, in small blocks in my suburban garden plot (6 to 12 stems at time). I stagger the planting to have a more continuous supply. In order to get full cobs (no gaps), corn, which is movement/wind pollinated, needs to have pollen from the top fall onto the lower cobs (with their silks showing). All I do is determine whether the pollen is ripe by tapping the top stem. They usually release pollen twice a day, in morning and then later in the day. If I see a small cloud of pollen falling, I break a few pieces of the top male flower spike and place them across the silks. If you have a big plot of corn they should self-pollinate easily and don't need this done, if you have smaller plots like me, it will always guarantee full cobs.

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01 Feb 25, Emeline Donoso-Brady (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

The temperature here in Lithgow is from 14-26 till April, can I sow corn now? Thanks Emeline

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31 Dec 24, Carrie (USA - Zone 8b climate)

What are the best dates to plant sweet corn in zone 8b Alabama?

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06 Jan 25, (USA - Zone 8b climate)

2-3 weeks after last frost.

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05 Jan 25, (USA - Zone 5b climate)

Look up the planting guide for your area.

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20 Oct 24, K-M Bourke (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

I never have much success growing from seed but I really want to level up my gardening. How much sun do I allow my seedling trays to get. In a sub-tropical climate the sun can be very intense on hot days and can dry them out very quickly. Should I use a greenhouse or is that too shady? How often should you water them? I assume the trays should be moist the whole time while they are germinating? Any advice would be appreciated.

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28 Oct 24, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Soak the seeds over night in a bowl/glass of water. Plant them into a fine potting mix soil. Give them a watering.. Don't water for 2-3 days. Keep in the shade or only a little sun each day. If soil drying out use a spray bottle to moisten the top of the soil. Or do similarly into the garden. Put some shade over them. Don't over water - they will rot. I have had trouble myself the last few years. Or just buy punnet from Bunnings/? - a lot simpler and easier.

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16 Nov 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Continued - I bought some from Bunnings - tasted horrible.

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