How to Grow Indian Corn in 3-Foot Raised Beds

Build your raised bed in early May. Stack landscape timbers, brick or concrete block to a height of 3 feet. Be sure that landscape timbers are not treated with creosote, which will leach poisons into the soil.

Fill the raised bed with equal parts garden soil, peat and organic compost. Rake smooth. Dig furrows with a garden hoe to a depth of 3 inches. Separate the furrows by 18 to 24 inches. Dig at least five furrows to increase wind pollination between plants.

Plant Indian corn seeds 4 to 5 inches apart in mid-May. Dense planting will aid in cross-pollination of the corn when tasseling occurs. Cover the seeds with 1 inch of dirt and soak with water.

Water throughout the growing season when the soil is dry to the depth of an index finger. Raised beds will dry out quickly, and Indian corn has shallow roots that need moisture in the top 5 inches of soil to thrive. Test the soil with a finger every other day to ensure that moisture levels are consistent. Spread a 1-inch layer of weed-free straw between plants and rows to hold moisture in the soil and keep weeds down.

"Hill" Indian corn in mid-July, or when the plants reach a height of 3 feet, whichever comes first. Mound the soil in a 6-inch hill around the stems to hold additional moisture near their shallow roots and to keep them from toppling over on windy days.

Harvest the colorful Indian corn for decorations in late August or September. Allow the cobs to dry out before use.