Sweet corn is one of the all time favorites of gardeners everywhere. But sweet corn is not the easiest vegetable to get started growing in your garden. Here are a few ideas on how to get started planting sweet corn and helping it to germinate quickly.

Title: 5 Tips for planting corn

Author: Cassie Williams

Article: For many people, there is nothing better than the taste of fresh sweet corn on the cob cooked immediately after it is picked from the garden. However, growing corn isn’t as easy as eating it. The key to growing juicy, sweet corn is planting it correctly. Here are five tips for planting corn:

1. Make sure the ground in warm. Do not plant corn until after the last frost. Be sure to wait a few weeks until the soil has warmed to at least 16 Celsius. The best temperature for your planting area is 32 to 35 Celsius.

2. Use nitrogen rich soil. Corn needs a lot of nitrogen to grow well. Beans are nitrogen-fixing, so if you planted beans last year then use the same spot to plant your corn this year. Also the soil should be well-drained and a little acidic, a PH balance between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal.

3. Sow the seeds ½ inch deep if the soil is moist, and place them 10 inches apart. If you are planting in dry soil or in extremely hot weather, sow the seeds 3 inches deep. Place a small amount of compost or fertilizer in the furrow.

4. Plant your corn in blocks. Some gardeners like to plant corn in mound or hills, but you will get better pollination if you plant your corn in blocks. A block is 4 rows, each being 10 to 15 long and spaced about 2 feet apart. Each kernel of corn must be pollinated separately and the block configuration helps the wind blow pollen from the flower to the silk of the corn ear. It will also help to protect the corn from wind damage. Do not plant more than one variety of corn in a block. If you plant more than one variety of corn in the same block you risk cross pollination. This means if white corn is cross pollinated with yellow corn, then the kernels on the white variety will become yellow.

5. Pre-sprout your seeds. Place your seeds in a plastic container filled with water and allow them to soak overnight. Place them is an open plastic baggie. Rinse your seeds everyday they will sprout in about 4 to 7 days. Plant the sprouted seeds and cover with an inch of dirt, they will germinate faster using this method.

Follow these tips and you will be growing, juicy corn in no time at all.

About the author: Cassie is a writer and online researcher. View her new website about Knife Sharpening Tools and learn how to select a Chef’s Choice Knife Sharpener