How To Grow Corn In Florida
The corn family
Sugariness corn is the simply grain that is eaten fresh as a vegetable. There are several types of corn.
Field corn is not eaten fresh. It is also referred to as dent corn because of the appearance of the dried kernels. Field corn is used as livestock or poultry feed or dried and ground into corn meal for people.
Indian corn or flint corn is frequently brightly colored and is starchy like field corn.
Popcorn is grown and dried to be eaten popped.
Sweet corn is the nearly popular corn used by many gardeners. Sweetness corn is grown in most vegetable gardens and is eaten fresh. It is one of the most popular vegetables in the United States.
Corn needs a large garden
Since each found produces just ane or two ears, it would be necessary to plant at least fourscore anxiety of row to produce enough sweet corn for a family of four. Corn is wind pollinated. It must be planted in blocks or squares of three or more than rows. Do not institute in one or ii rows because the ears will non be pollinated, meaning that there volition be few kernels on each ear.
Corn is a warm weather ingather
Sweetness corn is a warm flavor crop that requires warm soils and full sun all day. For an early on crop, although frost tin injure seedlings, a modest number of seeds tin be planted early. You are gambling on the unpredictable weather. It's risky, but information technology tin can give an earlier harvest.
Wait to constitute almost of the corn in late May to reduce the risk of frost damage.
Kinds of sweet corn
Sweet corn tin be divided by colors, sugariness and fourth dimension of the season it becomes ripe. Kernels of different varieties volition be yellow, white or a xanthous and white mixture often called bi-colour. In regards to sweetness, there is standard, sugar-enhanced and the sweetest which are called super sugariness. The sugar-enhanced and super sweets often practise not germinate well in absurd soil. Corn is likewise divided into early, mid-season and late varieties.
Planting
When planting, follow the directions on the back of the seed bundle or constitute seeds 1.5 to two inches deep, five to six inches apart in rows that are two to 3 anxiety apart. Thin plants to 10 to 12 inches apart.
Many people observe that the super sweet corn varieties do not germinate well. If seeds do not germinate, plant when the soil is warm to the bear upon and space the seeds closer than recommended.
Succession planting
To lengthen harvest, plant early, mid-season and tardily varieties all at the same time. Make successive plantings of mid-flavor and or belatedly varieties until late June. Wait until each planting is about two inches high before planting more.
Keys to success
- Constitute four, short rows rather than long, single or double rows.
- Found more often than not mid- and late flavour varieties for the best quality.
The basics
Corn will abound virtually soils if it is well-drained. Corn grows best in loam soils. For adept germination of seeds, the soil needs to be 60°F or in a higher place.
Corn is a heavy feeder, especially of nitrogen (fertilizer). Follow your soil test recommendations or use ii pounds of 5-20-20 fertilizer per 100 square feet of soil. When the plants are knee high or at the get-go of July, apply a loftier nitrogen fertilizer (4 lbs of 21-0-0 or ii lbs of 46-0-0) per 100 square feet along the sides of the rows.
Continue corn free of weeds and grasses. Cultivate with a hoe, just be careful not to injure shallow roots. A mulch of straw or similar material can be used to command weeds and agree in moisture. Do not remove suckers (side shoots), equally this may reduce yields.
Corn needs lots of h2o, specially from the fourth dimension the tassels (silky, hair-like material growing out of the top of the ear of corn) appear until harvest. An inch of water per week, either from pelting or the hose will ensure proper moisture. More than water may be required on sandy soil.
Harvesting
Harvest sweet corn after the silks on the ear turn brown and are dry. Corn kernels should be circular and filled out. Kernels that are square may be by their prime and the sugars converted to starch. Husks should appear fresh and not dried out.
Storage
The quality of sweet corn decreases very speedily after picking. The sugars convert to starch and the unique flavour is lost. Use immediately or store for a brusk time in the refrigerator. Fresh sweet corn can be frozen or canned, if done correctly.
Problems
To aid prevent seeds from rotting in cold soil early in the spring, it is possible to use seeds treated with a fungicide. Those that are treated will exist colored, like a brilliant pinkish. The parcel will also have that information on it.
Cover the seeds well with soil to deter birds or animals from eating the seeds. If loss of seeds to birds or animals is a continuing trouble in a small garden, employ a narrow strip of hardware screening or chicken wire over the row until the corn plants simply begin to emerge. Eaves troughs covers piece of work well for this, as well. Be sure to remove screening before the corn plants sprout and are damaged.
Insects or animals may exist troublesome, especially corn earworms and raccoons. Contact your local Extension office for data on how to manage these pests.
Originally adult by Lee Taylor and adjusted by Gretchen Voyle. Revised past Hannah Stevens.
Source: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/how_to_grow_corn
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