Sweetcorn Marshalls

Hi All

I have some vouchers for Marshalls and I am keen to try and grow sweetcorn this year any thoughts on which variety of seeds will be best to grow and what should I do now to prepare the ground. I plan to grow these at the allotment, oh will these need protecting from birds and rabbits a bit of a problem where I am in Newhaven.

Thanks

Dave

 

I have grown "Swift" for several years ("Lark" is similar). Low yield (one cob per plant, but you might do better) but that is generally a problem with the new Supersweet varieties bred for short-season cropping - they are a lot shorter than old fashioned plants, so a) crop quickly (before Winter arrives!!) but b) have fewer cobs than old varieties.

Don't sow multiple varieties - cross pollination will adversely affect flavour of the new types (if you are on an allotment, or have neighbours growing sweetcorn, either bulk-buy together, or co-ordinate to grow the same variety.

(You may get away with it, but best to only grow one variety on your own plot :thumb

Birds shouldn't be a problem, but rabbits might (my veg patch is fenced against rabbits) - and Badgers love the cobs, apparently!, if you have any living nearby?!!

They are hungry feeders - manure is helpful, feed them during the growing season. I think they are shallow rooting, and thus there is risk of damage when hoeing - so be careful with that.

After harvest get them into the pan of boiling water as quickly as you can - that's why supermarket ones never taste as good as home-grown, the sugar starts changing to starch as soon as you pick them.

That's about it I think

 

Hi Kristen

Thanks for the reply I will have a look in the catalogue,

By the way I have started to complete the spreadsheet you sent me a couple of years ago and have every intention of updating throughout the season (mind you I said that 2 years ago) #

All the best for the new growing season and thanks for all the advice you have given

Regards

Dave

 

Excellent! I hope it is some help.

 

I was going to mention Badgers too. Mainly because I like mentioning Badgers.

 

Hi Ziggy

Yes we do get Badgers around here in Newhaven although not as many as I used to see on the outskirts of Brighton. I have a caged area at the allotment I can use it is covered in chicken wire that will stop the pigeons as well, will the small birds eat the sweetcorn??

Thanks

Dave

 

Birds have never eaten mine (probably enough food around that time of year), but mine doesn't stay on the plant long before it gets requisitioned by the kitchen!)