- 1). Locate a site that has full sun at least six to eight hours per day and is well drained. Perform a soil test to be sure the pH of the soil is 5.8 to 6.8 and amend as necessary to make the pH right. Corn requires fertilizer even before it is planted, so mix into the soil about a pound or so of 10-10-10 fertilizer.
- 2). Plant seeds when the temperatures reach about 60 degrees and there is no danger of frost. Soak seeds in a bowl of water overnight the day before planting.
- 3). Sow seeds in loose soil about 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart. In order for the corn to pollinate correctly, seeds must be planted in at least three rows that are spaced 24 inches apart.
- 4). Thin seedlings once they reach 4 inches tall. They should be thinned 18 inches apart for the early corn varieties and 24 inches apart for the late-harvesting types.
- 5). Side-dress 1-foot tall plants with a high-nitrogen fertilizer by scratching it into the soil alongside the plant. Be careful not to disturb the roots. which grow quite shallow. Side-dress the plants again once tassels begin to form.
- 6). Water corn regularly, especially when the temperatures are above 80 degrees. Corn needs the most water two weeks before the tassels sprout.
- 7). Weed regularly, because corn will not compete with weeds and the weeds will win. While weeding, create a hill of soil around the base of each stalk. This will prevent stalks from falling over in a storm.
- 8). Shake stalks once tassels and silk appears to encourage pollination. If planted correctly, the wind will do pollination by itself, but it is a good idea to give it a little help. Pollen forms on the silks and a pinch can be taken from one plant and sprinkled over the others once a day.
- 9). Harvest ears of corn after 60 to 100 days. Ears should be green and the silk should be brown. When kernels are squeezed, a milky substance should come out.
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