Introduction to Planting Maize

Temperature

• Corn is a warm-season crop, requiring high temperatures for good growth and for proper germination. You should wait at least two weeks after the last frost date to plant corn, but temperature is a better guide to planting than frost date. According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension, corn performs at its best when air temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and the soil temperature at a depth of 4 inches measures 50 degrees or higher.

Timing

• In addition to temperature, you should wait to plant corn until you can properly work and prepare the soil. Corn is very vulnerable to weeds during its early stages of growth, so extension resources recommend you till and prepare the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Select a site that provides full sun. The soil should be relatively dry, as seed left in standing water or cold, damp soils can rot.

Spacing

• Set your seed 1 inch deep in moist soils or 2 inches deep in sandy soil. Allow 2 to 3 feet between rows. Space your seeds to provide 10 inches between plants for sweet corn, 9 to 12 inches between plants for late-season cultivars and 8 to 10 inches between plants for early varieties. The Purdue University Cooperative Extension suggests you use early, mid- and late season varieties and make successive plantings every two weeks for an extended harvest.

Soil

• Corn does not tolerate acidic soil. Have the pH of your soil tested to check if any amendments are necessary to achieve the range of 5.8 to 6.5 that corn plants prefer. Corn requires a rich soil. If your soil is lacking in nutrients, you will need to apply a fertilizer high in nitrogen and you may need to add nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, which are vital to good growth and yield. If you do not have access to a soil test, the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service suggests you apply a 12-12-12 fertilizer at a rate of four pounds per 100 square feet.