Corn

I've had a small raised planter garden for years however this year is my first attempt with corn and I've got 36 stalks and all stalks have at least 2 ears of corn on them at today's date. My question is how should I know when it's time to pull these ears? The silks are predominatly white with some black showing but the ears are a bit smaller than I thought they would be at picking time.

The silks should be predominately dry (brown) when the corn is ripe. It does vary with variety, so the sure way for a beginner is to gently open one ear at the tip and take a peek. If the kernals are fully formed, it is time. you can judge the rest of your crop by the feel of that ear.

chicken_farmer
Are you planting corn in your raised bed???? I would love to hear about it. Size # of corn seeds planted in rows and spacing.
I thought my suburban yard would exclude me from producing corn. I have some hope by your post. Please let me know if you have time.

I have a FOUR corn stalks growing in my raised bed.....just as an experiment. So far only 1 ear per stalk...they're still pretty small...but the silk is still greenish so I'm surmising based on "Farmerdill's" advice that they just are NOT ready yet.

I planted my corn seeds & they did not sprout. I soaked them in water before I planted. I guess the seeds were bad?

I didn't have much luck with sweet corn last year - the ants got more than we did - lol. This year I planted Strawberry Popcorn for the kiddos. I have 4 plants per square foot in a block of 4 sq ft - so 16 plants in pretty close proximity. So far they appear to be getting pollinated fine in this formation. First ear I checked the kernels were full to the tip.

I stuck to the recommended 12" spacing per plant. I like your spacing of 4 plants/ sq ft better, though, because of the obvious efficiency. I need to get a little bolder with spacing my seeds. I'll keep this in mind for my next corn crop.

Corn needs to be planted in "'blocks" for good pollination - that's why I got brave and planted that way;o) Seems to be working so far...

I did not do that this year, plant in blocks, but in two rows. Minding which way the wind always blows, they were in line. I planted 12 little plants I picked up from Home Depot, I was told they never grow, LOL I am so happy, each stalk is tall with 2 corns on them. Billy is extremely happy Corn on the cob is his favorite. I was going to ask when to pick it, but I found this thread...

Thanks all.

my garden is right in front of my neighbors window, i wonder if they would be terribly upset if their view of my backyard and ummm a wall and some dog poo was blocked by big corn stalks! haha.