Harvest edible plants in June
In the heart of the growing season, June is an ideal time to plant sweetcorn. Here's a simple guide to help you grow delicious, well-pollinated corn cobs.
Planting
Start by transplanting hardened off sweetcorn seedlings outdoors, once they reach 8–15 cm in height. Plant in blocks, not single rows, to maximize wind pollination. For baby corn varieties, space them closer (about 20 cm) and plant in rows to avoid pollination issues[1][2].
Location
Choose a full sun spot that provides at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and well-drained, fertile soil enriched with organic matter like compost[2].
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist but well-draining. Deep, thorough waterings early in the day during dry spells help the plants thrive and produce juicy kernels. Avoid light frequent sprays; aim for intermittent soaking to encourage strong roots and reduce disease risk[3][2].
Feeding
Sweetcorn is a hungry crop. Ensure the soil is rich in nutrients, ideally improved in the fall with organic matter. Additional feeding with balanced fertilizer during growth may benefit if needed[2].
Pollination
Since sweetcorn is wind-pollinated, planting in blocks increases successful kernel set by allowing pollen to reach female flowers better. Avoid planting supersweet varieties near standard sweetcorn to prevent cross-pollination that can reduce sweetness[1][2].
Pest and Maintenance
Keep an eye on the plants for pests like blackfly. Repeated control measures may be necessary to keep them at bay. Use a hose pipe to blast blackfly off plants, or apply an organic soapy solution. If grown in containers, continue supporting plants for proper growth[1].
Harvest Timing
Sweetcorn is usually ready to harvest when the silk turns brown and kernels exude milky juice when punctured[2].
Additional Tips
- Sow two or three seeds in each spot to ensure growth[1].
- Fruits should be about 10cm apart to ensure plenty of space and light for growth[1].
- After thinning and growth, water the plants thoroughly and mulch with compost or manure[1].
- Watering plants at ground level is the most effective way during this season[1].
- Be aware that courgettes, cucumbers, tomatoes, celeriac, celery, lettuce, spinach, and leaves near to harvest require more frequent watering[1].
[1] RHS (Royal Horticultural Society). (2021). Sweetcorn: Growing Guide. [online] Available at: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=465
[2] Gardening Know How. (2021). How to Grow Sweet Corn. [online] Available at: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/corn/how-to-grow-sweet-corn.htm
[3] The Spruce Eats. (2021). Growing Sweet Corn: How to Grow Sweet Corn in Your Garden. [online] Available at: https://www.thespruceeats.com/growing-sweet-corn-3131923
To create an enjoyable home-and-garden lifestyle, consider incorporating a charming home-and-garden project such as husking the harvested sweet corn for an evening feast at home, thus combining the pleasure of gardening with home cooking. Furthermore, make your home-and-garden setup more than just a sweetcorn patch, utilize these opportunities to engage in micro-gardening practices like vertical gardening techniques, or innovative container gardening with baby corn varieties in the space surrounding the sweetcorn block.
