How to Grow Corn with Aspen Trees

Start corn one to two weeks after the last frost date in your area to ensure a safe start for this frost-sensitive crop. Corn requires soil temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, and will suffer in colder temperatures.

Find the right site for your corn, which requires full sun for eight hours a day, quick drainage and competition-free growing. Choose a spot that sits out of the shade cast by your aspens, and leave at least 10 to 15 feet of space between aspens and corn to keep the corn away from aspen roots. The roots will suck the moisture and nutrition from the soil and lead to suffering corn crops. Give the corn patch at least 10 to 12 square feet of space.

Prepare the site for planting. Dig into the top 6 to 10 inches of soil, break up dirt clods and remove weeds and rocks. Add 1 inch of quick-draining soil or loam and 2 inches of organic compost to your tilled soil, then add slow-release 12-12-12 fertilizer to the top inch. This preparation gives corn the loose, nutritious foundation it needs, and raises your soil level to ensure good drainage in the site.

Plant corn seeds in rows that run with prevailing wind, to help the plants pollinate, and plant at least four rows in a block formation. Push the seeds 1 1/2 inches deep at 8 to 12 inches and in rows at 2 to 3 feet. Corn depends on wind for pollination, so straight rows and close spacing increase the possibility of vegetable production.

Water the entire corn patch with 2 to 3 inches of water, then spread 2 inches of organic mulch between the rows and plantings. The mulch will help conserve soil moisture for the corn, and will discourage weed growth.