What Can I Plant with Corn?

Corn Fundamentals

• To successfully grow other plants with corn, learn corn's overall environmental needs. Regular corn needs nitrogen-rich soil that averages above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of sewing. Extra-sweet corn needs the soil ten degrees warmer. Plant corn seeds in a sunny location about 14 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart--this allows wind pollination for the corn. Once in the ground, keep the soil moist and fertilize the plant once it reaches a 12 inches tall using a 20-20-20-blend fertilizer.

Three Sisters

• Iroquois legend says that corn, squash and beans are three sisters that thrive best when grown together. Historically the Native Americans did just this; they interplanted the three crops in one mound. This tradition continues on many farms today. The corn's stalk provides a natural growth support for bean runners, and its leaves shade the squash. Beans also add nitrogen to soil, strengthening the corn plant. Squash's role in this trinity is to discourage small animals from nibbling on the corn; it also provides natural mulch from its leaves and vines.

  To grow these together successfully, plant each corn seed in a mound of dirt in full sunlight. Space mounds 5 feet apart. Use 3 seeds for every 3-foot square area. After the corn reaches 4-5 inches in height, weed the mound and add 3 bean plants around the base of the corn, about 3 inches from the stalk. Put mounds for three squash seeds each in between each corn-and-bean mound.

Herbs

• Dill and tansy are companion herbs for corn. They attract beneficial insects and deter critters like spider mites and tomato worms, which attack both tomatoes and corn. If you're growing squash with your corn, know that dill also deters squash bugs. Tansy likewise provides pest control for some ants, beetles and flies.

Flowers

• Make your corn rows visually striking by adding flowers. Sunflowers and marigolds are good companion blossoms for corn plants. Sunflowers provide additional shade for bean plants growing on corn, while attracting beneficial insects, like bees, for pollination. Marigolds suppress nematodes and help keep Japanese beetles at bay. Be sure to put the marigolds at the edge of the garden so they get the full sunlight they need.