How to Grow Corn From Seeds With Pictures

The amount of space you need to grow sweet corn depends on the method of growing you use. For home gardens with a small area, use a square-foot-planting method. Larger garden areas do well with traditional row planting. The soil temperature must be at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit for the kernels to germinate. Colder temperatures cause the corn to rot. Choose from many varieties of sweet corn, such as Silver Queen or Sugar and Cream, depending on the flavor you desire. You must also choose a variety of corn that matures in the number of days you have for growing.

Rototiller or spade
Well-rotted manure
Garden rake
Viable corn seed
Hoe

Instructions

- 1
  
  Rake the soil surface smooth for a level planting area.
  
  Prepare the garden site by tilling to a depth of at least 8 inches. Work a well-rotted manure into the soil as you till the area.
- 2
  
  The corn kernel colors show the many varieties of sweet corn available.
  
  Divide the area into a 9-foot squares for small gardens. Further divide the large square into nine smaller squares, measuring 1 square foot. For large garden areas create two or more furrows with a hoe, spacing the furrows 12 inches apart.
- 3
  
  Corn rows are planted close together for good pollination.
  
  Plant the corn kernels at a depth of 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Plant two or three kernels per hole. Space the seeds 4 to 6 inches apart when planting and then thin the plants 8 to 10 inches apart. For the square foot method, make four evenly spaced holes in the square to plant the seeds.
- 4
  
  Underdeveloped corn due to under watering or a lack of pollination.
  
  Water the corn seed thoroughly after planting. Keep the soil moist until the seed germinates. As the corn grows, water at least once per day. Tassels and ears do not form without proper moisture.
- 5
  
  An immature ear of corn.
  
  Weed the area where the corn grows by hand or with a hoe. Keep at least 4 inches away from the corn stalks to avoid damaging the roots of the plant. Corn roots are shallow. Check for worms in the corn silk, remove by hand and destroy so the kernels are not damaged.
- 6
  
  You can pull open the husks on the ear of corn to determine ripeness.
  
  Harvest the corn when the corn silk is brown. Check for full ear formation by pulling open a small section of the husks, at the top of the ear of corn. If the kernels are not completely developed, twist the husks shut and allow the corn to develop further. Remove the ripe corn by gripping the ears firmly and twisting while pulling straight down on the ear.

Corn Planting Summary

What Causes Barren Corn?

Growing Corn