How much of the roots to remove?

[JenFeet]

Hi all.

Today I was stripping the sweetcorn plants out of the polytunnel - grown in raised beds inside.

Can anybody please let me know how much of the root system needs to come out of the soil as they're snapping at the base and a real pig to get the rest of the root out. I do want to replant asap but the amount of time to remove just 1 full root system means I'll be spending my next 6 weekends trying to clear them!

If the roots stay in will they eventually compost down? Or will they deprive the soil of goodness? I'm sure they'll get in the way of growing seedlings though.

Oh - and while removing one of the roots today I uncovered a HUGE chafergrub (google!) The girl pig ate it but if there was one is there likely to be more under the soil? Will I be able to plant in it? It was huge.

Last question (for now)! The sweetcorn plant stalks wouldn't shred (rubbish shredder?) but I wondered if I could dry them and use them as fuel for our multi-fuel stove? Has anybody ever tried this? I was thinking about sawing them into approx 20cm lengths and leaving them to dry in the garage and then maybe burning them next year. I'd be grateful if anybody has done anything similar.

Thanks a lot
Jennie

[Eco-Chic]

I don't know how well they'd burn, but Bob Flowerdew recommended placing them in hedges and rough areas for insects like ladybirds to use as over wintering homes.

You could do this instead of cluttering up your garage for the winter, and then burn them next year.

[Snadger]

Surely to get the roots of the sweetcorn out all you need is to 'ease' each plant with a fork?

[Two_Sheds]

I leave my corn stalks out all winter to break down a bit, then they come out easily in the spring.
Do you really need the space now? The stalks may already be full of hibernating ladybirds

[Two_Sheds]

I wondered if I could dry them and use them as fuel for our multi-fuel stove?

Dry sunflower stalks are as hard as wood and make an excellent fire. They are very high in potash, so save the ash to use on next year's crops. MDidea Exporting Division - Sunflower seed Extract.Helianthus annuus,sunflower seed kernels. - EC Plaza

[Bigmallly]

The sweetcorn plant stalks wouldn't shred (rubbish shredder?)

My sweetcorn stalks shredded perfectly.