Is anything tastier or more essentially “summer” than fresh corn? Because the sugar in corn begins to convert to starch soon after picking, Grandma always said to get the water boiling, then go pick the corn. But now there are sugar-enhanced varieties that hold their sweetness for a few days after picking. Still, fresher is always better.
Corn Quick Facts
The next time you sit down to enjoy an ear of corn on the cob, think about this:
- Corn is NOT a vegetable! Corn was derived from a grass native to Mexico, called “teosinte”. Botanically, it is a fruit.
- The average ear of corn has 500 to 800 kernels of corn on it, although it can have as many as 1,200 kernels depending on the variety.
- Corn doesn’t just come in yellow or white, but also red, blue, pink, and black.
- The tallest corn plant in the world was grown by a scientist in Costa Rica — 48 feet tall!
- On each ear of corn, there are an EVEN number of rows of corn.
- Every single strand of corn silk is attached to a kernel of corn.
- Corn tassels contain pollen to fertilize each kernel.
- Corn, even though it’s native to South America, was introduced to Europe in the late 15th century by Christopher Columbus.
- As much as 30% or more of corn is used for non-food purposes — ethanol, in plastics, paints, even crayons!
Tips for Growing Corn at Home
Choose a spot with full all-day long sun. Because pollination is important, don’t plant in long skinny rows but in short “blocks”. for better pollination. Check your soil’s pH and correct any acidity, as corn does not like acid soil.
Fertilize, according to label directions, with10-10-10 or 20-20-20 as corn seems to prefer even numbers. Allow the top two to three inches of soil to dry (for mature plants) then water well.
The biggest pest to worry about is the corn earworm. Spraying the stems of the corn plant with Bt will help a great deal. It’s one of the best products to use because it does not pollute groundwater, does not harm pets or beneficials such as bees or ladybugs. If you see any earworms on the stems or leaves, you can also pick them off.
Since corn begins to lose its sweetness within a day or two, eat it quickly and ENJOY!
No Room to Grow? Shop Local!
If you don’t have the space to grow your own corn, then shop your local farmer’s market. That way, you’ll still be getting corn that was picked last night or this morning instead of last week. We have a Farmers Market here at The Great Big Greenhouse that runs every Thursday from 10 until 2 in the parking lot.
Another option if you lack space is to grow corn in containers!
There are now several varieties of corn that have been specifically bred for container culture. “On Deck” from Burpee is one, & this year I’ll be giving “Blue Jade” from Seed Savers Exchange a try in a large plastic 1/2 whiskey barrel-size tub. It’s described as only reaching 3′ tall with each stalk bearing 3-6 ears of old-fashioned-flavor sweet corn. And as added interest the kernels are a deep navy blue!! Can’t wait to see how this turns out.
Hi Bonnie,
Let me know how it goes! It does sound very interesting. I wonder how well it gets pollinated…