by Jennifer Poindexter
Have you ever tried to raise corn ? It ’s a favorite harvest among many gardeners and seems to farm well under a variety of condition . However , there are unwashed struggles many gardeners face when it comes to this flora .
Before levy any craw , it ’s important to understand the hardships , so you’re able to know the solution before you run into the problem . For this rationality , I ’m going to share some of the common fault gardener make when growing corn whisky . I ’ll also share their solutions .
If you ’re interested in adding corn whiskey to your garden , here are the mistakes you should attempt to avoid .
1. Planting in Wet Soil
You do n’t implant in soaked soil . This is a vulgar hint which work on for a diverseness of plants . Corn is no different . If the soil is slimly moist , you might be okay for establish .
However , if the soil is fully impregnate , the grunge becomes like concrete . This makes it difficult for source to pullulate under these consideration . It also has a negative impact on the root organization of plant .
How to Avoid this misunderstanding :
This mistake can be ward off by waiting until wet soil dries out , before attempting to plant corn seed . If you plant while the reason is sloshed , the seeds may not evolve .
When malicious gossip is too compact , the source struggle to form plants . Therefore , look until the ground is dry and aerated . The ideal soil resembles a moist imp . If your soil looks more like a smooshed gremlin , hold off on planting corn .
2. Not Fertilizing
All plants need nutrient . You should amend the stain prior to planting , but some harvest might still ask fertilizer during the growing process .
Zea mays is no different . It does n’t expect a gross ton of extra attention . However , there are specific time when this harvest should be fed . Your harvest will be good if you supply what the crop needs at the appropriate clip .
You avoid this mistake by assure you realize when corn should be fertilize and follow through with the process .
Corn should be fertilise when they ’re four inches grandiloquent , ten inches tall , and when the capitulum start forming silks . This will see the plants have what they need to grow adequately . Be sure to use a balanced fertiliser each prison term .
3. Planting Too Deep or Shallow
There is a understanding seasoned gardeners recommend planting at specific depths . If you plant too shallow , the come rot before they have an chance to sprout .
However , if you engraft too rich , the source ca n’t germinate . It ’s vital to understand at what deepness corn should be planted . This will help you begin the grow time of year on the good foot .
You avoid this error by engraft corn at the appropriate astuteness for germination . Corn should be implant or so one inch deep .
However , there may be time when you must dig a minuscule deeper . If this is the case in your band - up , do n’t go further than three inch . If you plant deeper , it could cause the sprouting rate of your corn to decrease significantly .
4. Ignoring Pests and Diseases
There are a variety of pests and disease which touch on Zea mays . I ’ll be upfront with you . If your corn has a disease , you ’ll love it because many of the disease leave the corn whisky appearing change form and unappetizing . The same can be say for pests .
Yet , you should stay alive to these issues because by the prison term they take over , it ’s too late . Your corn crop will be deeply impacted .
corn whiskey can be impacted by fungous and bacterial disease . Again , if a fungous disease affect your Indian corn , it ’s common to see the plants suffering and the ears of Zea mays seem misshapen and unappealing . This can happen with pests and bacterial diseases as well .
Therefore , at the first sign of trouble , inquiry likely causes and plow accordingly . Most fungal disease can be treated with a antimycotic and by increase airflow around the plant . you could dissuade pest issues by handle with an insect powder .
5. Failing to Prep the Grow Space
corn whisky is a magniloquent crop . There are container versions of this plant , but in most pillow slip , corn will be grown in a typical garden bottom .
no matter of where the harvest is grow , the field must be influence to become quick for the plants to grow . Ensuring the grow place is deal properly from the start might help oneself with avoiding potential exit .
you’re able to avoid this mistake by taking the clip to puzzle out the territory and amend it , as needed . Fertilizer should be apply to the grease prior to plant .
However , you ’ll also want to make certain the soil is light , downlike , and rich . This will give the come a better area for sprouting and also supply what the harvest require in its earliest stages .
6. Not Planting in the Right Design
Have you ever seen people plant extremely long rows of maize ? This cultivate for commercial farmers because they tamp many row into an area .
However , in a smaller garden , there is a specific design corn should be planted in . Otherwise , you could cause pollenation issue and negatively impact your crop .
You forefend pollination mistakes by ensuring you implant your harvest in the correct purpose . This can be done by planting Zea mays in a boxwood shape , instead of embed in longer row .
If you ’d like two long row of corn whisky , you might be better process by constitute four short rows of corn whiskey to form a public square . This way , when the breaking wind blow , the corn whisky can be pollinated . It also helps protect your crop from strong winds .
7. Failing to Thin the Plants
When I first began growing corn , this mistake is what tripped me up the first few clip . It ’s easy to become heavy - handed when plant corn seeds .
As they germinate , you may hate to thin the sprout . However , you must thin them , to give your corn the space it needs .
When Indian corn is initially planted , it should be placed an inch into the soil and with three inch of blank between seed . This is for a germination policy policy .
In the event some source do n’t germinate , you should have enough plants to still have a good - sized crop . Once the corn sprout , you should exit one human foot of space between the plant . This will deter your crops from competing for nutrients within a grow space .
8. Picking at the Wrong Time
horticulture is all about timing . Corn is no different . You must piece your harvest at the good sentence , or you wo n’t have all that you could .
Therefore , be sure you infer the sign for when to nibble corn . By following this method acting , you ’re setting yourself up for success at harvest time .
Corn goes through a smorgasbord of stage . As the stalks of corn whisky grow taller , you ’ll begin regard ears shape and finally silks .
Wait approximately three hebdomad after the silk mould before you pick the corn whisky . By this prison term , the ears should be full and immature . Yet , the silks should appear dried . Each stalking should have at least one ear . Some stalks may have two .
9. Not Watering Correctly
Before we wrap up all that you should n’t do when growing corn whiskey , water must be discourse . I hold off to discuss this last because it ’s more in profoundness than some of the other fault usually made .
Many nurseryman water corn lightly on a day-by-day basis . This does n’t encourage the plant to form strong ascendent which can blockade the harvest .
you could avoid this error by watering your plant profoundly . You ’ll water few day of the hebdomad but for long full stop of time . This ensures pee reaches the beginning and encourage the root scheme to dig deeper between watering sessions .
A secure root organisation typically produce strong flora . If the corn begins to droop , or if you check the ground and it ’s ironic to your first knuckle joint , you ’ll know it ’s time for another watering session .
This conclude the mistakes many gardeners make when growing corn . If you ’ll become familiar with these issues , and their resolution , it should aid you overcome common problems when recruit this craw .
maize is n’t a unmanageable vegetable to add to your garden . Troubleshoot your issues , avoid plebeian mistakes , and you might be able-bodied to produce a freehanded crop right in your own backyard .
LearnMore About Growing Corn
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-sweet-corn
