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Steps
1
Prepare the soil by working general-purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer evenly into the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil before seeding. Ensure the location is in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of light per day, with well-draining soil and a pH between 5.8 and 7.0.
2
Time your planting for after the middle of May, ensuring the area has been frost-free for 2 to 3 weeks and soil temperature is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
3
Create planting holes 1 inch deep, spaced 7 to 12 inches apart. Arrange these holes in a square or block pattern of several short rows rather than one long row to facilitate wind pollination.
4
Place two or three seeds in each hole, cover with soil, and water immediately.
5
Water the plants to provide at least 1 inch of water per week during warm growth periods. Water in the morning and moisten the soil 8 to 12 inches deep to reach deeper roots; apply mulch on top to retain moisture.
6
Monitor plant health. If leaves turn light yellow, apply more nitrogen; if edges turn purple, provide more phosphorus. A side-dressing of fertilizer can be applied when plants are 12 inches tall, keeping fertilizer 3 to 4 inches away from the stalk to avoid root burn.
7
Harvest the corn 15 to 23 days after the silks appear. Perform a puncture test by pressing a fingernail into a kernel; if it leaks a milky liquid, it is ready. Harvest in the cool of early morning or evening to minimize sugar loss.
Pro Tips
To prevent seed rot, use high-quality seeds and plant only when temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
If growing in containers, use a pot at least 12 inches deep and 12 inches wide with drainage holes.