I purchased the seeds from Burpee. Please read the information below. Now, growing corn seems harder in our climate, so I do read instruction. This is my round #2 this year, so I hope I won't make the same mistake! I will be more careful this time!
Peaches & Cream actually gives two different sweet flavors in every bite. It matures early in the season, grows to 6 ft. tall and has 8 1/2" long ears. The pretty bicolor kernels are borne in 18-20 rows. Days to Maturity: 70 days. I might make it there!
How to Sow
Growing corn is easy provided you have enough space and plenty of sun. Corn is wind-pollinated, so you need to plant in blocks to ensure pollination. You should have a minimum 10 foot by 10 foot area. The exception to this rule is ‘On Deck’ corn, which has been bred to grow in containers. If you are growing ‘On Deck’, choose a container that is at least 24 inches wide and deep and plant nine seeds evenly spaced.
Corn is classified as Sh2, SE, SU, or SY. These refer to the sweetness and how long the corn may be stored. Sh2 is is supersweet, lasts 4-6 days in the refrigerator and is more challenging to sow in cool soils; SE is sugar-enhanced and lasts over a week in the refrigerator; SU is normal sugary, more cool soil tolerant but with a shorter shelf life; SY combines SE and Sh2 traits. Isolate Sh2 corn varieties from others by planting seeds at least 250 feet apart, or select varieties that mature at least 2 weeks apart, so they will not cross pollinate.
When choosing a site for corn, plant on the north side of your garden so the tall plants do not shade other plants in your vegetable garden.
Corn is a warm season crop and should not be planted in cool soils. The non Sh2 varieties tend to be more tolerant of cool soils, but in general the soil should be about 65 degrees F or warmer.
Sow corn seed 1 inch deep, 5 to 6 inches apart in rows 2 to 3 feet apart.
Seedlings emerge in 7-14 days.
When corn seedlings are 3-5 inches tall and healthy, thin to 1 foot apart.
How to Grow
Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
Keep plants well watered during dry periods to promote uninterrupted growth. Corn needs 1-2 inches of rain per week for best production. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. Corn is also a heavy feeder and will benefit from side dressings of fertilizer applied as directed through the growing season.
Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.
Suckers tend to form at the base of the plants; they help support the stalks and make food for the plant. The stalks may have to be staked in windy areas, but in general they are self-supporting.
Sunflowers are good companion plant for corn. Direct sow sunflowers in rows parallel to corn rows to help separate corn varieties that need isolation from each other. Choose sunflower varieties of comparable height to the corn plantings. The sunflower border, with vibrant hues in russets to golden-yellow, will add sparkle next to the almost all-green corn plot. The ‘Three Sisters’ (corn, bean and squash) are traditional companion plantings with Native American gardeners.
Harvest and Preserving Tips
Ears of corn are ready to harvest about 17-20 days after the silks appear. The kernels should be firm. Open an ear and pierce a kernel with your fingernail. If the liquid is watery, the corn is not ripe yet. It should be milky. If it is creamy, it is overripe and will not taste as sweet.
Firmly grip the ear and twist downward to harvest. Take care not to break the plant when harvesting the first ear, or the second ear will not develop. Most corn produces two ears.
7/26/2020. I just planted seeds! Now, let's see what I can do!
8/8/2020. Seems like all germinated. First one came out was on 8/4/2020. This batch seems to have low germination rate. It's about 30%. I am not feeling it...
8/21/2020 It's growing, but I am not sure... I think they need some more nutrients. Let's see what I got...
9/7/2020. Little questionable, so I gave them some goat manure. It has been really hot, so they might be struggling to survive... Hopefully temperature will drop soon!
9/21/2020 Are they growing?? Well..... Maybe!
10/1/2020. I suspect something went wrong here...
10/13/2020 Not good. They are about 2 ft tall, and started to flower. I suspect nutrient deficiency??
10/23/2020 First frost is right around the corner. We are expecting in 2 days! This look bad...