Sweetcorn recommendations?

[hamamelis]

I'm sorting through the seed stash, deciding what I'm growing this year. One thing I'd really like to try is sweetcorn, 'cos I could never grow it before; my old site had a badger sett on it (they had their own plot, never paid rent though), and they loved sweetcorn. They'd strip every kernel from every cob, the day before it was *quite* ready to pick, every time.

This site has a proper rabbit proof fence and no badgers, so, any recommendations? I'm only really catering for one, so I don't want a huge crop, I'm more bothered about taste. Is there much to choose between varieties?

[Thelma Sanders]

I regularly use either Swift or Lark - don't think there's really any difference between them, both are reliable here

[Cadalot]

I've grown both Swift and Lark and have Found Lark more reliable

[Paulie]

I usually grow 'Swift' as it has done better for me than others varieties here in Stoke. Usually produces 1-2 cobs per plant, and is deliciously sweet.

[Jungle Jane]

I grow ovation sweetcorn it does well & tastes sweet,they're good next to peas & beans for that bit of nitrogen & shelter.

[bario1]

Earlybird for me from now on... but maybe in Cornwall you don't need to worry so much about the weather?

[burnie]

I'm a tad worried about the comment " not worried about the taste", why are you growing it?

[KevinM67]

I'm a tad worried about the comment " not worried about the taste", why are you growing it?

Has anyone actually said that ??

[Thelma Sanders]

OP says

I'm more bothered about taste

NOT " not worried about the taste",

so don't worry burnie.

[Snoop Puss]

Like Cadalot, I now only grow Lark, as I didn't have as much luck with Swift. Could just have been a bad year, but Lark is a reliable producer every year.

Each plant produces one or two cobs. But you need a block of plants just to get reliable pollination by the wind. How many plants were you thinking of growing?

[bikermike]

I got away with a line of plants (can't remember what the seed was - came free with a magazine), but I'd agree that a block is better

It's supposed to taste best if you can eat it within half an hour of cooking.

One our plot neighbours is Canadian - he says the day sweetcorn is ready is the day after the raccoons eat it...

[burnie]

OP says

NOT " not worried about the taste",

so don't worry burnie.

Ooooops, that's what you get when reading when half asleep lol

[hamamelis]

Each plant produces one or two cobs. But you need a block of plants just to get reliable pollination by the wind. How many plants were you thinking of growing?

Probably a little block of 8.

I don't think I need to worry so much about season length here, but wind is definitely an issue. It's a really windy site, or at least it is in winter. I'm not sure if that means I should look at shorter cultivars.

It's looking like Lark's winning on points so far, thanks for the suggestions!

[bikermike]

some of the peeps on my site put chicken wire round it -that will give it a bit of shelter as well as protecting it from badgers etc.
I had to prop mine up towards the end of the season.

[Snoop Puss]

Probably a little block of 8.

I don't think I need to worry so much about season length here, but wind is definitely an issue. It's a really windy site, or at least it is in winter. I'm not sure if that means I should look at shorter cultivars.

It's looking like Lark's winning on points so far, thanks for the suggestions!

If you can manage a block of 9 (3 x 3), that would probably do well.

Lark isn't the tallest you can get. That said, I had plants develop a distinct lean one year. I propped them up with bamboo and they still produced. If you're on a really exposed site, then some kind of fencing around the block, like bikermike suggests, or other means to prop them up when they get towards full height might be useful.

As for season length, you'll be fine in Cornwall. Lark is relatively quick to produce, so if you have room, you might even be able to sow another block later on to get a second successional crop. You'll be amazed how good home-grown sweetcorn is. I've never managed to grow too much...