DIY Network

Row Spacing, Protection and Watering Row Spacing, Protection and Watering From "Fresh from the Garden" episode DFFG-103

Once you have the basics on getting your seeds and soil ready, you're ready to tackle planting and watering. For best results, just follow these easy steps....

advertisement

	Mark rows with string, then use the edge of a hoe to draw a shallow furrow, 1"-2" deep, along one side of the string. You can then remove the stakes and string and place I.D. makers at the end of the furrows.
	Cover the corn seed by raking 1-1/2" of soil over them, using the soil from the edges of the furrow.
	This crop will require at least an inch of water from rainfall or irrigation per week for normal growth.

• Sow sweet corn seed in full sun when the soil warms to between 60 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweet corn does not germinate well in cold soil and the low termperature will die. Sweet corn seeds can appear shrunken and shriveled; before they can germinate, they must slowly plump up with water. To help them along, soak dry seeds in water at room temperature overnight before planting.

• Corn does not have a very deep root system so be sure to plant in a spot that's in full sun and still sheltered from the wind. A good blast of wind can flatten a corn plant. There are two traditional ways to plant corn: three to five seeds grouped together in hills or spaced evenly down straight rows, one behind the other.

• You will need to mark off the rows by staking the bed to create rows. First, place stakes the length of the bed and then stretch string along the ground to mark the planting line. Be sure to leave 20 to 36 inches between the rows for cultivation and plant at least four rows for the best pollination. Many short rows will provide better pollination than a few long ones.

• Next, use the edge of a hoe to draw a shallow furrow, one to two inches deep, along one side of the string. You then remove the stakes and string and place I.D. makers at the end of the furrows.

• To plant the corn seed, drop one seed into the plating furrows, spacing the seed drops 4 to 5 inches apart. You should plant two or three seeds to ensure good germination. Cover the corn seed by raking 1-1/2 inches of soil over them using the soil from the edges of the furrow.

• Once the seeds are planted, you should water the block rows well. Good soil moisture is especially critical for the germination of extra sweet corn, as it must absorb more water than any other types for germination to occur.

• To help keep birds from raking the corn crop, build a bird screen to cover your beds. Using a sledge hammer, drive stakes into the ground 8 inches deep. Next, stretch string from corner to corner and around the perimeter, tying the string to the stakes. You then attach sod staples to hold down one end of some protective netting. The netting will provide extra support for the cornstalks. You stretch the netting over the plot and secured it on the opposite side of the plot with the sod staples. Be sure to pull the netting tight and attach enough staples around the whole area to secure the netting over the plot.

• This crop will require at least an inch of water from rainfall or irrigation per week for normal growth. Now as the plants grow, there is some special care that needs to be given to the seedling. You should mound the soil around the stems to support then against wind in exposed areas. When plants are about 6 inches tall, you’ll need to thin the seedlings. Crowded corn will bear fewer, smaller, and poorly filled ears.

• Using scissors, thin the plants to eight to ten inches apart if all seeds in a spot germinate and grow. Be sure to thin out the poorer seedlings, saving the best plant from each spot. This is also a good time to side dress the plants with 10-10-10 fertilizer which will help encourage the young seedlings to grow. After you finish side dressing you lightly water in the fertilizer.

• Now that that corn plant is growing, you should protect it from pests called cutworms. Cutworms wrap themselves around the seedling stem and sever it at ground level. You can make a protective collar to fit around the base of the seedling. Use a pair of scissors to cut out the bottom of a paper cup. You then fit the cup into the soil and around the plant stem. Be sure the collar extends 1 or 2 inches into the soil. You can also use a bottomless, topless tin can or aluminum foil collar to discourage cutworms from attacking the corn seedlings.

• As plants grow and weather becomes warmer, you should increase watering. When roots appear at the base of the stem, cover them with soil or mulch with old compost.
  

  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Preparing the Soil and Seeds
  	Row Spacing, Protection and Watering
  	Insects, Weed Control and Harvesting
  	The Right Gloves