Corn

Corn is one of the staples of the home garden. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison talks about the ins and outs of growing corn. You will get the best results from corn if you plant early. There are several insects that attack the corn and early planting will allow the corn to grow some before the insects start eating it. European corn borer attacks the plant when it is young and eats in a whorl of leaves close to or in the stalk. The damage is often seen later as large holes in the corn leaves after they have grown. Corn ear worm eats the kernels in the ear. Both kinds of insect can be stopped by planting corn that has the BT gene. Pesticide application can also prevent damage. Corn requires lots of water, nutrients and space to grow so it may take too much space in a small garden. It is best to plant some corn every few weeks to spread out the harvest. Sweet corn should be picked in the morning and eaten as soon as possible as the sugar in the corn begins to turn to starch.  Corn is pollinated by the tassel dropping pollen which then hits the silk and is conveyed to the kernel. Pollination does not occur when temperatures are hot.


Related Resources:
Growing Sweet Corn in Home Gardens
Vegetables: Growing Sweet Corn in Home Gardens
Insect Pests of Sweet Corn