Is corn suitable for small space gardening?

CORN. Small spaces aren't a limiting factor for growing corn. There's a range of low-growing varieties. Yukon Chief, for example, is only 1m tall, so it fits patios and balconies nicely. Likewise, container gardening means that corn can be grown anywhere from apartments to rooftops. With the right methods, there are no limitations.

Plant intensively, using intensive planting methods. Square foot gardening involves planting plants at 20cm intervals in a grid. Get staggered plantings so that you are harvesting for weeks. Stack crops vertically with pole beans. Triple your output per square meter.

Hand pollination. When the area is small and it is difficult or impossible to put out pollen in such an area, hand pollination is the method. Gather pollen in paper bags from the tassels on dry mornings. Place the pollen on the silks with soft brushes. Continue this process daily until the silk emergence period has passed (5-7 days). This method will obtain 90% pollination.

Container care: Use a lightweight potting mix with added compost. Water on the hottest days to prevent soil drying out more than 1 inch (2.5cm) per week. Rotate pots weekly to give all sides even sunlight. Stake any plant taller than 30in (80cm). Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

Harvest when kernels exude milky liquid when punctured. Container corn matures in as little as 65 days. Cool ears immediately after picking. Enjoy fresh corn within hours for a sweet flavor. Tools of the trade. Small space harvest.

Read the full article: How to Grow Corn Successfully at Home