edwmax

1) Corn seed should be planted 1" to 1 1/2" deep. .... I plant mine about 1".


2) Corn does not self pollinate (except some new hybrids which are expensive). Thus in gardens the wind is likely to blow the pollen away from the neighboring plant causing poor pollination and yield to be very poor to NON_EXISTANT. Planting 1 or 2 rows will not work! .... So for a garden, plant at least 4 rows adjacent to each other ( I do 5 rows) and space seed about 2" apart. The recommend seed spacing has been is about 12" or more apart for years, but I found that in a garden 2" is better for improved pollination and yield. Farmers that plant high yield corn acreages are planting at 3" to 4" apart to get that 400 or 450 bushels per acre. .... DON't worry about it, if someone tales you 2" is too close. That's is simply BS. Corn is a type of grass..... Just water and fertilize based on the number of plants.


3) I use 10-10-10 fertilizer. Your soil might need something different but a balanced triple NPK should do. I do not apply fertilizer to the soil before planting, but side dress after the corn is 2" or 3" tall; and again when 12" tall at a rate of about 5 cups or 2 L per 100 foot row. .... This year I plan to make a 3rd application when the corn is about 2 ft tall.


Now a little info: Different corn varieties produce 1 ear per stalk, others may make 2 ears. The ears size can also vary. But knowing what variety you are planting, you can estimate the expected yield. ... 1 bushel of corn is 56 lbs or approximately 112 ears 8" long to get 56 lbs of grain.



So: 5 rows X 100ft / .16ft = 3125 plants Divide by 112 ears (assuming 1 ear per plant) equals 28 bushels possible. I'll be happy with half of that but I do get a lot more than I use or give away.


Another fact: Corn seed will keep and be viable for 3 or 4 years if kept dry, cool and bugs out (use sealed coffee can). And the seed suppliers are likely to sell all their corn seed by early summer, the extra seed is for successive plantings in June or July. I normally buy 3 lb per year each (6lbs total) of Truckers Corn yellow and white ($2.50/lb). Then plant 3 rows of yellow & 2 rows of white in one 5 row X 100dt section; and 3 row of white & 2 rows of yellow in another 5 row X 100ft section. This then makes a ear that is mixed white & yellow (peaches & cream). Don't pay extra for a mixed hybrid ($6 to $10 peaches & cream) when you can simple mix white & yellow corn when planting. Plan for the seeds needed for the season.



Does this answer your question???? Yes I grow corn in my garden. Picture coming in my garden thread.

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