Sweetcorn is a wind-pollinated crop, so giving the plants enough room is vital for successful pollination. If you have a large area and a sunny aspect in your garden, this plant can be a true delight when homegrown.
Why Grow Sweetcorn?
If you read my recent article about celeriac, you know I am making an effort to write about crops I do not grow myself. Unlike celeriac, which I dislike, I do not grow sweetcorn because I lack the space and conditions. So, if you are fortunate enough to have the room and a sunny spot for it to thrive, I am jealous. When freshly picked and shucked, homegrown sweetcorn is beyond delightful.
Planting and Growing Conditions
Sweetcorn grows best during long, hot summers. Start seeds now, as they need warmth to germinate, ideally in a propagator, and pleasant weather as they grow. Like many summer crops, sweetcorn prefers fertile, moisture-retentive soil and as much sun as possible. Seedlings over 8 cm tall are ready to be planted out, but wait until the days are warm and frost risk has passed. Keep some fleece handy to cover them if temperatures drop unexpectedly.
Spacing and Pollination
Spacing is crucial for sweetcorn. It is wind-pollinated, so plant in blocks of at least four by four plants with about 40 cm between them. This requires ample space. If you lack space and are willing to harvest small, unpollinated cobs, you can grow sweetcorn in a row closer together, about 20 cm apart. However, baby corn may not be worth the effort.
Position sweetcorn where there is enough breeze to carry pollen from the tassels at the top to the silks protruding from lower flowers. Each silk becomes a kernel when pollinated. Avoid exposed positions where strong winds might snap the plants. Sweetcorn can grow up to 2 m tall, so consider staking them if winds are strong.
Harvesting
Sweetcorn ripens from late summer into autumn. When the silks at the ends of the cobs turn brown, peel back the husk and burst a kernel. If the liquid is clear, they need more time; if creamy, the cob is ready. Grasp the cob firmly and twist away from the stem. If kernels are overripe, leave the cob on the plant as long as possible, then hang them to dry completely. Once dry, you can make popcorn while watching a good movie.
