Why Sweetcorn in the Vegetable Garden is Small & Shrivelled?
Sweetcorn, or maize, (Latin name - Zea mays) does not always grow well in vegetable gardens in the north of the UK.
Sweetcorn should receive at least eight hours of sunlight a day, so it needs a sunny site in the vegetable garden. Cold winds will slow growth, as sweetcorn is originally a sub-tropical plant, and likes to be warm. The site should be protected from strong winds, as the tall plants are easily blown over.
Sweet corn requires frequent watering to produce full, healthy ears. Once the tassels appear, the sweetcorn needs at least one inch of water per week. It is important that the soil does not dry out between watering, so in a dry period the corn needs more frequent watering. The corn will not be able to fill out if it does not receive sufficient water and, as a result, the seeds will be small and shrivelled.
To grow sweetcorn successfully in the vegetable garden, it must receive sufficient sun, warmth and water.
Click the link for more information on growing sweetcorn in the vegetable garden.
growing sweetcorn in containers
I used to grow silver queen sweet corn because my mother thought it was the best. We didn’t have a vegetable garden when I was growing up but my mother always went to the farmer’s market for what was in season. I was glad that I had a big garden before she died so I could prepare silver queen the way she said was the best from her experiences at her grandparents farm. I’d start the water boiling pick it and drop it in the water right after picking. It always does seem sweeter like that. I haven’t grown corn the past several years and I miss being able to do that as it always makes me think of my mother. Thanks for bringing back good memories with this informative post. Carver
Comment by carver - October 22, 2007 4:23 pm
Hi Carver
Thank you for telling us your interesting story. I have never thought of starting the water boiling before going out to pick my veg. What a good idea - it makes perfect sense.
I spent one summer, when I was a student, at Penn State. One job was to measure the decline of sugar every hour or so after picking - for 2 days after picking. We stayed up all night!
First we had to go to the field to pick some ripe corn, it was then plunged into an insulated freezer - (liquid nitrogen was involved). We then rushed back to the lab, and started testing for sugars & probably starch. The change from sugar to starch was incredibly rapid - as you already knew, & made the most of it by instant cooking for your mum!
Thanks for visiting
TopVeg
Comment by TopVeg - October 22, 2007 5:15 pm
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