sweetcorn, how do you grow yours?

[skillage]

So when should I start these off indoors? And should I plant the courgette plants beside them, or in the middle of the squares of corn, if that makes sense?

I've never grown corn, but that three sisters method sounds really fun!

[Iamhanuman]

i second skillage's question about design of the three sisters area!!

[norazina]

has anyone tried growing corn using "square foot gardening method"? Book says plant 4 per sq.f. and it sound awfully tempting, imagine having 64 corn plants in 4' x 4' area (we eat A LOT of corn), but then again I've never grown corn before. Cat ate all my seedling last year, so I'm going to have a go again this year. With seed packet instructions "plant 18" x 18" apart", I'm rather confused!!!

[jemma_charlie]

if you search for three sisters there is a little diagram on one of the threads, shows you exactly what to do. Unfortunately I can't remember which it was.........
it went something like this...(please correct me if i am wrong)..

S B S S B S S B S
B C B B C B B C B
S B S S B S S B S

Key S = squash
B = beans
C = corn

follow the pattern until you have your desired sized square

[norazina]

OK, just checked SFG website and they really grow corn 4 to a sq f!!!

I guess I will give it a go and post the results at the end of the season

[amandaandherveg]

OK, just checked SFG website and they really grow corn 4 to a sq f!!!

I guess I will give it a go and post the results at the end of the season

Ooh, I'm going to try this in one of my rasied beds, it's 1.2m x 1.2m. We should compare notes.

[lynda66]

i do the square metre gardening method, it's so far worked for most things, gonna give it a go with corn too .... basically the same as a foot but bigger

[amandaandherveg]

Hmmm.... So that means I can grow 64 in my 4ft x 4ft raised bed, good grief. I only have 30 seeds in my sweetcorn packet.

[lynda66]

you need more seeds ... or you can plant something else with them

[amandaandherveg]

Got my seeds in Woollies sale, Sweetcorn Swift - just checked the packet, 35 seeds. Will try and find some more.

[skillage]

Thanks Jemma_charlie
I also found more details on a blog called purplepoddedpeas
purple podded peas: garden

[norazina]

Hmmm.... So that means I can grow 64 in my 4ft x 4ft raised bed, good grief. I only have 30 seeds in my sweetcorn packet.

I have actually went out and got a second packet of sweetcorn seeds after I worked out "64 plants" thing, I love corn so much I've decided to have one bed for just that ...here's hoping they won't come around all at once...

[zazen999]

I have actually went out and got a second packet of sweetcorn seeds after I worked out "64 plants" thing, I love corn so much I've decided to have one bed for just that ...here's hoping they won't come around all at once...

They do!!! I tried succession sowing but the ones sown a month after the first ones all came good within a week or so.

[amandaandherveg]

I opened my pack of seeds to count them (how sad am I?) and there are only 28 instead of 35. Looks like I will have to buy 2 new packs, humph!

I built a brick barbecue last year, mmm, corn straight from the raised bed onto the barbie.

[norazina]

They do!!! I tried succession sowing but the ones sown a month after the first ones all came good within a week or so.

Thanks Zazen, so no succession sowing then.

Amanda, if I get a good crop, then I'll just use your idea and have a barbie party...ooooh, I can picture sending guests to veggie garden to pick their own corn...good luck me!!!