Sweetcorn is a wind-pollinated plant, so giving the plants room is vital. If you have the space and a sunny aspect, this crop is a true delight when homegrown. Unlike celeriac, which I don't like, I don't grow sweetcorn because I simply don't have the right space and conditions. So if you're fortunate to have the room and sunny aspect for it to thrive, I'm jealous. When freshly plucked and shucked, homegrown sweetcorn is beyond delightful.
Starting Your Sweetcorn Seeds
As you might suspect, sweetcorn grows best during long, hot summers. Get your seeds started now, as they'll need some warmth to germinate, ideally in a propagator, and pleasant weather as they grow. Like many summer crops, it likes fertile, moisture-retentive soil and as much sun as possible. Seedlings over 8cm tall are ready to be planted out, but resist planting until the days are warm and the risk of frost has passed. Keep some fleece handy to cover them if the temperature drops unexpectedly.
Spacing and Pollination
An important aspect of growing sweetcorn is spacing. It is wind-pollinated, and successful pollination is facilitated by planting in blocks of at least four by four plants with about 40cm between them. If you don't have that space and are happy to harvest small, unpollinated cobs, you can grow sweetcorn in a row closer together (about 20cm). However, in my humble opinion, baby corn isn't worth the effort. Position your sweetcorn so there's enough breeze to encourage pollen from the tassels at the top to reach the silks protruding from lower flowers. Each strand transforms into a kernel when pollinated, so avoid exposed positions where plants might snap in strong winds. Sweetcorn can grow up to 2m tall, so consider supporting them with a stake if they're jostled by winds.
Harvesting Your Crop
Sweetcorn starts to ripen from late summer into autumn. Once the silks at the ends of the cobs turn brown, you can peel back the husk and burst a kernel to test readiness. If the liquid is clear, they need longer; 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, at which point you can make popcorn while watching a good movie.
