I am nervous about my beloved sweet corn (Zea Mays L. var. Rugosa or Saccharata)
As you know from my previous post on my beloved Zea Mays L, I was extremely nervous about taking them out into the wild. When I mean wild, things are pretty wild up here as the winds are strong, the weather can turn in an instant. One day whilst working on my computer, I saw right before my very eyes four seasons in an hour, sleet, snow, rain and pure glorious sunshine. So, I have every right to be nervous.
"Oh, it's a special entry into my diary today the 23rd July 16 as I finally took out all my sweetcorn. They have been indoors for nearly 4 months! At least half the plot was already dug, so I just had to dig the other half and I cut it to the length of my lounge window. I was so excited that I actually got up very early to make a head start as I had to go to 2 or 3 events this afternoon.
My split and segmented compost heap was thrown in as good measure, mixed it in with the newly turned soil. I saved all the grass patches and placed them on my window sill to dry out completely. Then, I slowly planted my sweetcorn one by one, also carefully placed my bamboo stick beside it so as to keep it nice and sturdy as a support.
Then, I sprinkled the soil with that magic phosphate which it absolutely loves and is probably addicted to as it appears to be some kind of a drug to plants? Then, I lovingly watered each one. Then, I had to sprinkle it with slug pellets to give it some hope of prospering and I am not fond of doing that as everything in nature is there for a purpose. My window now looks lonely and empty as it's cleared off all plants. Despite my anxiety about taking them outside, it's also very gratifying to finally see them out in the wild.
They must love the extra room and I cannot wait to see them grow rapidly. I couldn't have chosen a more perfect day to plant them too as the sun was so hot today too. Hooray!" That was the end of my special diary entry, my first trial with sweet corn 1,000 feet above sea level. My last height measure was 36" from soil to the tip end of the longest leave, must do just a stork measure next time.
As I am being an over protective parent and want to give me little hunnies the best chance to survive, I made my own plastic cover to keep em nice, snug and warm. At the moment, I am not sure how long to shield them as I've never done gardening at this altitude before, let's wait and see.
I have some experience of growing sweetcorn, the best thing for it is in a poly tunnel of some kind to keep heat in, it will grow outside but not as good and at height where you are I'd advise some kind of cover like you have.
ReplyDeleteHiya Andrew, thanks very much for your encouraging comment. Yes, I have considered poly tunnel too and may have to incorporate that for next year's crop. My little tent has done the job of keeping it warm and all 10 have produced but strangely in varying sizes, considering I planted all of the time at the same time? Once again, thank you very much. Mala
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