Sweetcorn, how do you know

when its ready to harvest? I've wasted a few of them over the last few weeks by cutting them off and unwrapping them to find they're not ready. Is there something one can look for?

 

Firstly the ends of the silks should be a dark brown in colour. If they are - then before taking it off of the stalk, you can just peel back some of the husk and silks and check to see that the kernels are nice and plump. The failsafe way to test for 'doneness' at that point is to take one off if all looks good, and take a nice big bite! My kids have eaten more corn on the cobb straight off the plant this year than has made it into the house - can't beat it for sweetness.
You can also press on the sides - You can usually feel the plumpness and roundness of the kernels - enjoy!

 

Yeah! Do not cut them off, jus peek inside gently from the top of the cob!

 

When peeking inside squeeze a corn with your fingernail. The juice starts out clear when immature, and once it becomes milky they are ready.

Pick and cook immedaitely - the sugar starts turning to starch the moment you cut them off the plant. We pick ours last thing, when the pot of water is boiling on the stove.

You can also drop in a bucket of water for 30 minutes and bar-b-q (with the outer leaves still on) then peel and serve; although I've not tried that.

 

Thanks for your replys everyone. :thmb:

yes I've heard about doing that before and I really want to try it.

 

I suppose I ought to pick a couple, stick them in the fridge for a couple of day, and then cook them at the same time as two picked-fresh and see if this is actually noticeable.

 

don't get them muddled up! :hehe:

 

We had corn on the cob for tea this evening, got the water boiling then ran out and harvested some cobs and they were absolutely delicious, best I've ever tasted if I do say so myself. :D (just as well as 150 left to eat) :hehe:

 

My grandad used the same technique with corn as with many other crops (apples, tomatoes etc.) - if it came away from the parent plant easily, it was ready to be harvested. I don't recall him ever cutting the cobs off, but would gently twist them away thus, if they were ready, they'd come off easily.

 

"got the water boiling then ran out and harvested some cobs and they were absolutely delicious, best I've ever tasted if I do say so myself"

Snap! That's been our experience since we harvested the first one earlier this year. Probably the most rewarding part of the veg patch this year

 

150 to cook Will Ting? lol - sound like us! Corn on the cob is our favourite vege to grow - and can never have too much Will you be freezing any of it at all? or are you going to manage through it? We always used to have a corn boil on the September weekend back home in Canada.....I see on facebook the family have had it again this year...... :( but we find it's not ever all ready in one go to have it that weekend here!

 

Hi Natalie, I hadn't thought about freezing it, as a rule I don't use the freezer at all because I believe in only eating seasonal and fresh, but actually I suppose sweetcorn would freeze as successfully as peas, so maybe I will. Thanks for the idea. :thumb: I know I'm going to be giving a lot away though..

 

giving away? Hmmmmm, Cambridge eh? lol
If you run a sharp knife down the cob of the corn (after blanching) the kernels will come off rather nicely and you can then freeze them. Freeze them the same as peas......spread out on a baking tray in the freezer so they freeze individually, and then pop them in sealed bags.........even that will taste so much better than not so fresh corn, because you can do it as soon as you take them off of the stalks.