Cold morning spurs warm thoughts of corn

Since the thermometer this morning reads a dreadful 10 degrees below zero, only one question is on this gardener’s mind: Will the soil ever be warm enough to grow corn? Not exactly a typical question on a cold, bleak January morning, but a question nonetheless, since the seed catalogs always seem to make the delicious, sweet, plump kernels of corn look utterly delectable. Particularly delectable, that is, when one’s taste buds are acquainted only with the frozen, store-bought – relatively tasteless – varieties available in winter.

Ah, fresh corn. There’s nothing quite like it, is there? Sweet, juicy, swollen yellow seeds neatly packaged on a single-serving cob. Steamed to perfection. Slathered with butter. Dusted with salt and pepper.

Mmm. Summer.

Corn is one of the sometimes-tricky plants we Maine gardeners grow. Sure, we see acres and acres of “cow corn” growing along the roadsides in summer. Farmers form silage with “feed” varieties. Gardeners may propagate any number of dozens of corn varieties. Standard sweet corn cultivars have a strong “corny” flavor. Sugar-enhanced types are sweeter and more tender than standard corn. Supersweet cultivars are sweeter still, and tend to stay sweet without turning starchy long after the harvest. Heirloom varieties of corn offer incredible color variation, from the traditional yellow and white bicolors, to stunning blue, red and orange kernels.

Whether in the field or home garden, corn can be a bit fussy, a bit difficult to grow. The rock-hard soil out there right now makes one really appreciate the tenderness of corn. Warm soil – the thoroughly warm soil of mid-June – is really what corn prefers. Will it ever come?

Corn thrives in full sun and a fertile garden loam. Seeds should be planted about 12 inches apart and about 1 to 2 inches in depth. Rows should be at least 12 inches apart, as well. Since corn is wind pollinated, and since sound pollination is essential for full-quality cobs, plots of corn should measure at least 4 feet wide and 10 feet long. This means the gardener should plan on raising at least 4 rows of corn, each 10 feet long.

In order for corn to properly germinate, soil temperatures must be about 50 degrees. Supersweet cultivars require even warmer soil – about 55 degrees. Horticulturally speaking, corn is a “heavy feeder,” meaning that to attain quality growth and production, the gardener must supply a hearty and steady stream of nutrients. Amending the garden soil with composted manure before planting is suggested. Apply a 3-inch layer of composted cow, sheep or chicken manure to the garden area and incorporate it to a depth of 6 inches, if possible. Side dressing corn when the plants are about knee high with another application of composted manure is advisable, too.

For continuous harvest throughout mid- and late summer, home gardeners can raise different types of corn. Early, mid- and late-season yielding varieties may be seeded in “blocks” in the garden. If raising supersweet varieties, be certain to prevent cross-pollination with nonsupersweet varieties (crossing will cause kernels to be tough and not so sweet) by planting blocks at least 25 feet apart.

Sounds like we should expand the garden, eh? Ah, winter! Plan, plan, plan. Bigger, bigger, bigger. It’s a good philosophy to have, this gardener thinks. Until the weeding begins, that is.

Diana George Chapin is the NEWS garden columnist. Send horticulture questions to Gardening Questions, 512 North Ridge Road, Montville 04941 or e-mail dianagc@midcoast.com. Selected questions will be answered in future columns. Include name, address and telephone number.