Corn was domesticated by indigenous people from southern Mexico approximately 10,000 years ago. The corn we know today was not naturally found in the wild, but it is believed to be a result of the selective breeding of teosinte- a wild grass with edible seeds.
After several generations, teosinte elongated and formed packed rows of kernels that were similar to the corn cob we know today.
Continue reading the article to learn more about sweet corn and how to grow it in your garden!
Field vs. Sweet Corn
Most of the corn which is grown today is known as field corn and it is a starchy variety which is collected when the kernels become dry. It is frequently used for biofuel, corn oil, animal feed, corn meal, and high fructose corn syrup. When the corn is mature enough, it is considered to be a cereal grain.
On the other hand, sweet corn comes from a naturally-occurring mutation which causes the conversion of sugar to starch in the kernel. Hence, sweet corn has 2 to 4 times more sugar than field corn. Though the sweetness reduces as soon as it is picked off, it still maintains it to two weeks after the harvest.
Sweet corn is available in three different types, that is, normal, sugar-enhanced, and super-sweet. In order to grow baby corn, you need to harvest the corn ears when they reach 2 to 4 inches in length.
Below, check out our useful tips on how to grow your own sweet corn in your garden!
Growing My Own Sweet Corn Step by Step
Did you know that sweet corn is one of the easiest crops to grow on your own? This is a warm-season plant which succeeds in long and hot summers. You need to place it in an area where it will be exposed to at least 6 hours of sun. Make sure the area is properly sheltered because strong winds may flatten the crop.
Regarding the soil, choose aged and fertile soil and enrich it with manure or compost in the autumn prior to sowing seeds in the spring. Make sure you go with one type of corn per season. If you choose several different types, keep them separated at least 800 feet because corn is wind-pollinated. This will avert cross pollination that may ruin the whole crop.
Sow the seeds into the soil 2 weeks after the chance for frost has passed. The temperature of the soil should be higher than 60 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. Plant the seeds 2 inches deep and 6 inches apart.
Plant the corn in blocks rather than in long rows because of the wind pollination. When the seedlings are 4 inches tall, thin them out to make them 12 inches apart.
After the planting, water the soil well. Remember, corn requires a lot of moisture to thrive. When it sprouts, it will need at least an inch of water per week.
Sweet corn does not need a lot of additional fertilization. If you see that it could benefit from a boost, opt for a NPK balanced fertilizer.
As corn is a rather sturdy plant, it does not always require a lot of support because of its height. But, if there are a lot of strong winds and foraging animals, opt for individual stakes.
The harvest depends on the type of corn. Sweet corn is usually harvested in 60 to 90 days after sowing. When the silks start to turn brown, peel some husk back and prick a kernel with a fingernail. If a milky liquid is released, the plant is ready for harvest.
If the liquid is still clear, it needs additional time to mature. Pick it off by pulling the ears downward and twisting them.
5 Uses for Your Sweet Corn
Whether it is boiled, grilled or steamed, sweet corn tastes mildly and pleasantly. It is low on calories and fat whereas it is rich in fiber and will supply you with a great set of minerals and vitamins. Plus, when cooked, its antioxidant power elevates. Here are ways to use it:
- Popcorn
If you want homegrown popcorn, let the ears mature until the kernels are hard and the husks are dry. Remove the husks and hang them in a mesh bag and place it in a ventilated and warm area. In a couple of weeks, remove the kernels by rubbing two ears together over a bucket. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Corn flour
Also known as corn meal, this is a gluten-free grain and abundant in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is a crucial ingredient for corn bread and tortillas and it can also be used for the preparation of cookies, pizza crusts, cakes, etc. To make flour, you will need a grain grinder and pickling lime. Even it requires a bit more time; corn flour making is very easy.
- Corn syrup
Homemade corn syrup is an excellent healthy sweetener that you can use in baking and candy making. Some recipes require it precisely because of its ability to avert the re-crystallization of sugar. It is rather sweet and offers a slightly corny flavor.
- Corn cobs
Corn cobs are not just excellent additions to the compost pile, but may also be useful for scrubbing pots, as a brush for grills; to prepare corn stock and corn cob jelly, to smoke meat, etc.
- Corn silks
Though often underrated, corn silks are abundant in antioxidants and phytochemicals. They can be helpful in alleviating UTIs and kidney stones and are a popular remedy in Turkish and Chinese alternative medicine.
To consume them, brew them into a tea. Opt for two tbsp of fresh or dried silks and combine them with two cups of water and bring them to boil. Once it boils, turn off the heat and leave it to simmer for 10 minutes and then strain it into a cup. Sweeten with honey if you want to.
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