How to Grow Corn on Hillsides

Plant corn after the last frost lifts in spring. Purdue University's Department of Horticulture recommends waiting until 10 days after the last frost for warm, friendly soil. Plant this long-season crop four to five months before first frost, though, to give the plants a full season of growth.

Choose sites on the hillside where the corn will get full sun for six to eight hours a day. North- and south-facing slopes work best, as they receive light all day. Amend the soil in your chosen site for planting. Till the top 10 inches of soil, remove rocks and incorporate 3 to 4 inches of organic compost. Corn grows best in loose, friable and crumbly soil. Turn 12-12-12 fertilizer into the soil at a rate of 4 pounds per 100 square feet of planting.

Plant corn seeds in a box formation, with rows running north and south for best wind pollination. Aim for rows that run across the slope, rather than up or down, within this structure. Plant at least 4 rows of corn to give the blooms the best access to pollen. Push the corn seeds 1 inch into the soil at every 10 inches in the row. Space the rows at 2 to 3 feet.

Water the corn with 2 inches of water and lay 2 inches of organic compost over the soil. Mulch keeps soil moist and warm, and keeps the soil in place in hillside plantings.

Water the corn with 2 inches of water every week. Always water at the base of the plants on a hillside; large-scale watering schemes may result in runoff rather than individual plant absorption. Water the plants in the morning to ensure drying before nightfall.

Fertilize corn with calcium nitrate fertilizer every month for blooming and ear production. Always water the corn immediately after feeding.