How to Grow Sweet Corn in Ohio

Locate a plot for your corn that gets full sun and has well-drained soil. Work the soil immediately after the spring thaw. Turn the Ohio soil over using a garden fork or rototiller, creating a fine-planting medium.

Test the soil using a testing kit purchased from a garden center or nursery. Corn prefers soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Soil acidity varies throughout the state of Ohio, so you may need to amend prior to planting.

Amend with lime if the soil test reveals a pH below 6.0. Add peat moss to the soil if the pH is above 6.5. Mix the required amendment into the soil following manufacturer's recommendations. Mix in 4 inches of compost for good measure.

Create narrow trenches in the Ohio soil with the tip of a garden spade, 2 inches deep. Space the trenches 36 inches apart. Keep in mind that three to four short rows are better than one or two long rows.

Apply a 12-12-12 fertilizer to the soil alongside the trenches at a distance of 6 inches, prior to planting the corn seed. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for allocation amounts and application recommendations. The corn will appreciate a second dose of side-dressed fertilizer when the plants reach 12 to 25 inches in height.

Sow the corn seeds in the trenches. Set corn seeds 12 inches from one another. Pat the Ohio soil over the top of the seeds to release air pockets. Water-in the corn seeds using a soaker hose, immediately after planting.

Provide the corn with at least 1 inch of water per week during the growing season. Rainfall in Ohio is usually adequate for growing corn. Therefore, supplemental watering will usually only be required in lieu of rain.