HOW TO TEND CORN PLANTS
Corn grows really fast. The really fun part about growing your own little “field” is when you can hear the stalks rustling every time a breeze comes through your garden.
Watering corn plants
Corn plants do need regular watering to grow. You’ll want to keep seeds and seedlings well-watered, and then increase your watering again once you see little baby ears and silks form. Overall, the plants need at least 1 inch of water per week, but really, the goal is to never let plants dry out as they’re growing. Keep this in mind: Sweet corn is only sweet if it gets plenty of water while it’s growing.
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My favorite way to deliver deep, consistent water to my plants is with drip irrigation. This is by far the most convenient watering method if you’re growing corn in raised beds. If you don’t already have lines installed, Garden in Minutes has a great kit that’s super easy to install.
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Some gardeners mulch around their corn plants with pine straw. I prefer to add several layers of compost throughout the growing season to help the soil retain moisture.
Fertilizing corn plants
I mentioned that corn plants can grow really fast, didn’t I? If you’ve raised teenagers, then you know that growth spurts mean lots and lots of food. Similarly, corn is a pretty heavy feeder.
When young plants are about 6″ tall, add a slow-release nitrogen-rich fertilizer around the base of the plant. Repeat every 2 to 4 weeks. The leaves on each stalk should be nice and dark green. Yellow-green leaves are a good sign that your plants aren’t getting enough nitrogen.
Dealing with pests on corn plants
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Your homegrown corn is going to be so yummy that lots of little critters will want to take a bite. We’re growing corn organically, and the reality is that organically grown produce often has a little nibble or two from pests. It’s really nothing to worry about.
The most common type of pest you’ll deal with is corn earworms. These are the larvae of moths. It’s typical to find them when you open up a husk. The good news is that there’s usually just one earworm per ear, and they only eat a couple kernels from the top. Just cut off the tip, give your ear a rinse, and you’re good to go.
If the idea of worms in your food really bugs you, you can prevent them by regularly sprinkling or spraying Bt on the ears while they’re growing.
Supporting corn plants
The idea is that corn plants will support each other in their little block. If any of your plants are leaning or falling over, tie them to a tall stake to hold them upright.
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