Corn is a heavy feeder, requiring plenty of nitrogen to grow well. Even good soil may require added fertilizer to produce well. Compost and well-rotted manure are good choices for amending the soil. Additionally, a balanced granular 10-10-10 fertilizer may be applied.
Manure or compost may be tilled in with the soil during garden preparation in the spring or fall. Additionally, they may be used as a side dressing by laying them on the soil near corn during the growing season. Granular fertilizer should be applied midseason, when the corn is 16 to 18 inches high, according to the West Virginia University Extension Service website.
Additionally, growing corn in a space where healthy peas and beans grew the previous year may benefit corn, advises Colorado State University's website. Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, making it more available to other plants.