First, corn is a warm-weather crop, so it needs to be planted when the soil is at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. //. Corn smut makes pale, shining, swollen galls that burst and release powdery black spores. Tilling the top six to 10 inches of soil will help to loosen the earth and improve drainage, which you can improve more by amending the soil. Proudly serving San Diego County, California. 6 Watch out . 12-14 weeks. Please enter your information to confirm. Water stress during pollination will result in ears with lots of missing kernels, so dont skip watering your corn patch. Earworm moths lay eggs on corn silks and the larvae crawl inside the husks to feed at the tips of the developing ears. When this happens successfully, pollination occurs. The first step in successfully growing backyard corn is to plan the space you will dedicate to this crop. To avoid disturbing remaining plants, remove unwanted seedlings by cutting them off at soil level. Corn needs about one inch of rain a week, especially when ears are forming. Corn is ready to pick when the kernel is tender enough to pierce and the juice appears milky. Germination takes about two weeks, and during this time you will need to water the area regularly to keep the soil moist. Plant the kernel (seeds) about one inch to one-and-a-half inches deep and about nine inches to 12 inches apart. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Till the top 8 inches of soil in a well-drained, full-sun bed. Instead, apply mulch to prevent weeds from sprouting. Then put the bag over an ear of corn, closing the bottom of the bag around the base of the ear. It doesn't do as well in frost or freeze conditions, but likely will survive light or scattered frosts. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. 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