What common mistakes should I avoid when cultivating corn?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Learning to grow corn Some of it seems simple until you walk outside and see stunted stalks or empty ears. I learned the hard way on my first crop, when I went to harvest and there wasn't a single ear of corn because I had planted everything in a single row and the pollen never reached the silks. Now I plan everything in block layouts and incorporate soil prep to avoid those common cultivation mistakes.
Poor Spacing
- Single rows limit pollen transfer between plants
- Overcrowding below 8" spacing reduces ear size by 40%
- Root competition starves plants of nutrients
Soil Neglect
- Low nitrogen causes yellow leaves and sparse kernels
- pH below 6.0 blocks nutrient absorption
- Sandy soils require 25% more compost
Last season, my garden suffered from nitrogen deficiency. Two weeks after tasseling, the leaves changed to yellow. I sent in a soil sample, which returned at 1.2 ppm, less than half of what is needed. Now, I use blood meal as a side-dress at planting and then again when the stalks are at knee height. The ears improved dramatically.
The difference between sweet corn and field corn lies in the time of harvest. If sweet corn is harvested too late, the sugars will change to starches. Once the silk is brown, I check it every day. I pierce a kernel with a fingernail, and as soon as I see a milky liquid, it is time to harvest. If the liquid is clear, wait longer. If the kernel is doughy, I know I have missed the harvest window.
Pollination Boost
- Hand-pollinate by shaking tassels over silks at dawn
- Plant bee-friendly flowers nearby to attract pollinators
- Use electric fans on windless days
Soil Rescue
- Apply 1 lb 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 sq ft
- Mix 2" compost into topsoil before replanting
- Test pH annually and adjust with lime
'Silver Queen' taught me about spacing. I planted it 6" apart and barely had an ear. Next time, I planted it 12" apart, and I had 9" ears. Also, overcrowding encourages pests. I had a bad experience with aphids in 12" rows. Now, I'm more ruthless when thinning seedlings. I sacrifice a few plants for the productivity of the overall crop.
Read the full article: How to Grow Corn: 9 Essential Steps for Sweet Success
