How to grow Sweet Corn

Don't you just love eating fresh sweet corn straight from the garden? Corn is delicious, juicy, and packed with fibre, so it is as good for the body as it is for the taste buds! Read on to discover how easy it is to grow the most succulent heads of sweet corn in your own garden.

First, corn grows fast and large and demands plenty of food and water to sustain its rapid development, so you'll need to dig in heaps of organic fertiliser. They respond best to the kinds of composts and manures contained within 5 IN 1, a carefully blended organic fertiliser soil enricher that promotes healthy and abundant growth.

Corn needs to be grown in a position that gets full sun yet is sheltered from the wind. Many different types of sweet corn are available either as seeds or seedlings, some of which produce black, red and multicoloured kernels. 

To prevent cross-pollination, only plant one variety at a time. Select a site in which you can plant the seeds or seedlings in blocks of four rows, each about 30cm (12in) apart. This will ensure good pollination and guarantee a bumper crop.

Once the corn seeds have germinated, give them a deep watering about twice a week to promote good strong growth. This is a far more effective technique than watering briefly every day. As it grows, sweet corn develops above-ground roots, and it's important to cover these with a thick, rich mulch to protect them.

Corn takes about three to four months to grow and produce cobs that are ready for picking. Here's the trick to knowing when corn is ready to pick - wait for the tassels on the end of the cobs to turn almost black, give the cob a quick twist, and it will come straight off the plant.

Now here's your checklist for success:

• Prepare soil by digging in plenty of 5 IN 1 Organic Fertiliser
• Plant corn in blocks of four rows or more, each about 30cm (12in) apart
• Water deeply twice a week
• Liquid feed with SeaMax Organic Fertiliser Liquid regularly
• Mulch generously
• Pick when tassels have turned almost black!

Now your whole family can enjoy the juiciest and tastiest sweet corn, fresh from the garden.