Harvesting sweetcorn?!

[kt6382]

Hi, I have got a beautiful sweetcorn grid this year, 9 plants that are all taller than me!! and each of them seems to have 2 to 3 cobs!!
Some of them must be ready to harvest now but I'm never sure how you tell?? I've seen some3 of them grow hairs at the top, then turn brown and fall off, but I picked one last week and it wasn't quite ready inside.
Also, if I pick the biggest cob off a plant does that give the others a chance to continue growing? (like with courgettes etc)
Thanks

[rustylady]

What do you mean by not quite ready?

[WendyC]

Peel back some of the outer husk and pierce a kernel with your nail. The juice which comes out should be milky. Enjoy!

[kt6382]

What do you mean by not quite ready?

Well, most of the kernals seemed to be big enough / fully formed but they weren't very yellow and the end ones were tiny (but then they always seem to be). It didn't taste quite right when cooked. I'll try another today, I'll try piercing and looking at the juice.
Thanks

[kt6382]

YEAY! I just tested a kernal and looks good!! Now jsut researching good way to cook it for my lunch!! Last time I found a way that suggested leaving it in its husk / leaves.. but I'd alreay peeled them off so now I'm hunting for that method...

[WendyC]

If you have kernels that haven't grown, or the cobs have gaps along then, that indicates incomplete pollination. Enjoy your lunch. Must go and test mine now!

[mrswadders]

hi, this is how I cook mine.....
peel back outer leaves and remove 'strands'
in separate bowl mix together softened butter, chilli flakes, fresh coriander(any herbs you like),salt and pepper.
smooth this over corn, recover with outer leaves. Tie with string if need be.
stick in bucket/bowl with water, weigh down leave to stand for 1-2 hours

cook on BBQ approx 10mins peel back leaves and enjoy!

[kt6382]

MMmm.. sounds good!
Today I just left the husk on and shoved it in the oven as I was already baking jackets out of hte garden too! Just left corn bare and peeled back husk to use to hold it! It was so yummy!!! Fresh corn on the cob doesn't need flavours or butter, it was delicious on its own! Think I'll be having one for dinner too