Spacing for Corn in a Raised Bed

Plant Spacing

• Corn may be planted in a raised bed either as seed or small seedlings after the threat of frost passes in spring. Corn is a warm-season annual crop and excels when temperatures are summery and the soil is not colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Unlike in the ground, the hill style of planting takes up too much valuable space in a raised bed. Sow corn seeds or plant seedlings 8 to 12 inches apart. If you want more plants in the garden, space at 8 inches. Twelve-inch spacing is ideal, as it allows more air and light to reach the plants.

Rows

• Corn plants are pollinated by the wind. In order for kernels to develop on the ear lower down on the stalk, pollen must fall onto the sticky silk fibers. Do not plant corn in single rows in a raised bed or the ground. Instead, plant the corn in multiple short rows or blocks. This increases pollination of the plant's ears later in the summer, improving the crop yield and quality. Space multiple short rows in a bed about 16 inches wide, according to the National Gardening Association.

Double-Row Technique

• Maximizing space is the key to efficient use of the soil in raised beds. While planting multiple short, single rows in a corner of the raised bed suffices, some gardeners employ the double-row technique. The double row is two single rows planted closely together, 8 to 10 inches apart. Rather than sowing seeds or planting seedlings in parallel locations down both rows, the corn is staggered. For example, in row one, plant seeds at 8 and 16 inches from one end of the row. In the adjacent row, put seeds at the 4-inch and 12-inch locations. This staggering maximizes the amount of necessary light, air and soil space for root growth for all corn plants.

Interplanting

• Corn grows upward at a rapid rate if the soil is evenly moist and rich in nutrients, temperatures are warm to hot and humidity is high. The bare soil and lower stalks of corn do not need to bask in full sunlight for the plants to be productive. Gardeners may utilize the fertile soil and access to sunlight at the base of corn plants to grow other veggie crops. Pole beans, gourds, short-vine squashes and cucumbers either climb up the stalks or sprawl outward, spilling out onto the lawn or patio from the bed. With so many plants in the raised bed, it's vital to maintain an evenly moist and fertile soil at all times so no plant ever suffers from drought or lack of nutrients.

Corn Selection Tip

• Since a raised bed may be located in an exposed location in the yard, wind may readily topple corn stalks. Hotter soil temperatures and better drainage in the raised bed's soil may be difficult to manage in midsummer. To offset these issues, choose dwarf corn varieties or short-season varieties that take only 55 days for ear harvest rather than 80 days.