sweetcorn

[JennieAtkinson]

Thanks Lesley and Alice for that advice. I've actually got Blue Lake to grow this year, so that was a good choice! Alice, I grew just the Butternut Squash which was a freebie with GYO, but perhaps the sprinter would be quicker. I'd only need a few seeds as I cant think I would grow that many in between the sweetcorn. Thanks for the offer. Will PM.

[sweetcorn]

Had to reply to a thread with my namesake as a title.

Have grown sweetcorn in blocks of about 9 or 12, never had to stake them, always had good delicious crops. I was also v. interested in CK's three sisters growing system, and will be trying that this year.

[dinah gale]

Like you Jennie, I wondered which variety of bean Carol Klein used in her 3 sisters plot. I've enjoyed the programmes but she hasn't been very forthcoming about varieties at all, I've noticed.

It was a climbing haricot with a white flower, wasn't it? The climbing purple podded french bean that I grew last year would go too high for this purpose so I'd love to know what hers was. Did anyone recognise it?

I've always grown courgettes or small squash with sweetcorn but had never heard of the 3 sisters before seeing the programme so I'd love to try it.

I've never staked sweetcorn but am growing on a very windy site now so will have to watch out for falling-over corn.

[Berr]

Jennie, Alice, and other Scots,
Guys, I'm trying Butternut Sprinter, Crown Price, Piglet's Carnival, and a.n.other in tunnel and- probably- outside as well, all for the first time this year. Be interesting to compare notes, and -maybe- pics.
What about the climbing bean "Soissons". Supposed to be great for drying. Can't remember source of seed but it wasn't obscure- I could find it, I think, if anybody's interested.

Good wishes!

Berr.

[Two_Sheds]

You can earth up your sweetcorn to make them a bit more wind-resistant: no need to stake

[Alice]

I'm for it Berr. I'll be growing my squash as I did before as they were so successful, but I'll be happy to set up a 3 sisters bed in my kitchen garden which is under construction and trial the method as against growing the sweetcorn, beans and squash in separate areas. Willing to try several varieties of bean, or any recommended. Pics sounds great. Anybody else want to join in ?

[Mrs Dobby]

I was thinking of trying some courgettes under the sweetcorn, but not sure about the beans aswell, havent that many bean seeds at the moment, so think I'm going to keep them separate, but will let you know how we get on anyhows!

[mandyballantyne]

Hi Alice, Berr,

I am up for the Scottish trial, will be growing early corn, climbing beans various and courgettes various.

It would be good to let each other know when sowing etc and compare, I think we are fairly equal north but fairly spread out east/west.

Mandy

[phil the shed]

hi all
grew my sweetcorn beans and squashes last year on the 3 sisters method,
i used cobra climbing beans and butternut squash. cob on corn okay sweet but not huge. am trying same method this year but trialing some corn of same sort on their own. dont know if lack of water because of squahes thirst causes small cobs

[*Feather*]

I was going to plant one patch of ordinary sweetcorn and one of the baby version. My kids like both. From what has been said about cross pollination, would this be a bad idea then?
Jools

jools, last year I planted both types of sweetcorn. I planted them in separate blocks, about 2 metres away from each other, and had a great crop from both types. I haven't tried planting them together, but I've read that the varieties might cross pollinate...

[vicki lorraine]

When planting out your sweetcorn plant it lower down than it was in the pot. The roots on corn are very shallow and can be easily damaged by hoeing so underplanting is a great idea.

[GeordieVik]

3 sisters

I'm going to give 3 sisters a try too - my first growing year on the lottie, have never grown sweetcorn, beans or squash before, so a huge step into the unknown.

Would like to take part in a 'trial' & share pics / results / ideas! Found this link the other day when reading up on it

http://www.nativetech.org/cornhusk/threesisters.html

found it useful for spacing & 'how to do it'

Vik

[jools]

Feather, thanks for your response about the two types. I'll plant them further apart, as you suggest. I'm going to have a go at the three sisters too but I'm going to put courgettes underneath. I have blue lake beans so will use those. I do have butternut squash but I'm going to grow these up a structure as space is at a premium.
Jools

[Alice]

Hello GeordieVik, thanks for that link, quite informative and will give the method a go. Would be good to have you, and anybody else who wants to join in on the trial. I'm sure we can all learn from each other, and it should provide a good indication of how far north corn can be grown successfully.

[JennieAtkinson]

Yep count me in the trial as well, but it will be in the tunnel. There's absolutely no chance of me growing any of these outside. The corn was successful in the tunnel last year, but am really worried about the beans choking it. All the beans in the tunnel last year grew to mammoth proportions!