How to grow them
Always plant in a block, not a single row: it is pollinated by wind, and a block gives full cobs. Sow in deep pots in April and plant out after the frosts, 45cm apart each way.
Squash, corn and cucumbers
Sweetcorn
Its sugar starts turning to starch the moment it is picked. Put the pan on before you go to the plot.
- Buy as
- Seed
- Space
- 45cm between plants, 45cm between rows
- Position
- Full sun
- Rotation
- Fits anywhere
- Difficulty
- Needs a little care
- Frost
- Tender: killed by frost. Nothing outside until the last one has passed.
The year
Sow indoors
Sow outdoors
Plant out
Harvest
When to pick
When the tassels turn brown, peel back the sheath and press a kernel with your nail. Milky juice means it is ready.
What goes wrong
Problems, and what to do
Half-empty cobs
Poor pollination. Grow in a block of at least twelve plants.
Mice and badgers
They know when it is ripe. Net if they are about.
Cold checks
Do not plant out too early.
Good neighbours: Squash, French beans, Courgettes.
Same family