Growing corn in our northern climate can be a challenge but it is certainly worth the extra effort. There is no better tasting corn then the corn picked from the garden. We have been growing corn successfully in our garden at home for the past 30 years.

Over the years we have tried new and different varieties and some of them have done well, while others were not right for our area. Corn requires long hot summers and this is not always the case in Prince George.

To grow corn successfully you need to choose the right variety of seed. Look for a variety that matures quickly and is cold tolerant as we tend to have cool evenings. There are different types of corn. Super Sweet (SH2), Standard Sweet (SU), or Sugar Enhanced (SE) varieties. We have had the best success with the Super sweet varieties, because even when the plant is affected by a frost in late summer the cobs of corn continue to retain their sweetness for another 10-14 days.

Another problem Northern gardeners are faced with is the length of time it takes for the garden soil to warm up in the spring. Corn seed need warm soil temperatures of 20 Celsius in order to properly germinate. To combat this problem we start the seeds indoors in the greenhouse and then later transplant them outside after all risk of frost has passed (end of May/early June).

We sow the seeds in late April. We use tray inserts that have individual cells that are placed inside a tray. Fill the inserts with a good quality moistened starter mix. Place one seed per cell and plant at a depth of 2 cm. Cover the tray with a plastic dome and place it in a warm sunny spot. Keep the soil evenly moist but not wet and after 7-10 days the young shoots will appear. Remove the plastic dome from the tray and continue to keep the soil moist and begin to fertilize weekly with 20-20-20.

Towards the end of May the plants should be hardened off by placing them outdoors during the day and bringing them in at night. Plant the young transplants outside after all risk of frost has passed as corn cannot tolerate any frost. We always keep a frost protection blanket (Reemay) near by throughout the growing season, so that the corn plants can be covered when the temperatures are low.

For pollination corn should be planted in blocks rather than one long row. Corn has both the male and female flowers on each corn plant. The male is the tassel on top of the plant and the female flower consists of the hairs (silks) that are part of the cob. Each hair is linked to a kernel and for the kernel to develop it must be fertilized by the tassels. Missing kernels mean that they were not pollinated.

Space plants 20-25 cm apart in rows 90 cm apart. Try not to disturb the roots of the corn plant when planting and later when weeding. If you are planting different varieties of corn, make sure that each variety is planted a distance apart from each other to prevent cross pollination which will result in tough, tasteless cobs. Plant the corn in a rich, well drained soil where it will receive full sun.

If possible, plant the corn where peas and beans were growing last year. Corn enjoys a nitrogen-enriched soil which the peas and beans have enhanced the soil with. Continue to keep the soil moist during the growing season and fertilize.

Corn is ready to harvest when the silks in the cob are brown. Corn tastes best when it is harvested on time. Cobs that are left on the plant too long will become tough and tasteless, so eat it, give it away or freeze it!

-Jos

Jos VanHage owns and operates two Art Knapp Home and Garden Centres in Prince George:

• Highway 16 West at Kimball Road
• Highway 97 North at Northwood Pulpmill Road