All, I write about gardening for a major news organization and am working on a piece about how to really plan a great veg garden. I'm looking for folks who, in the heat of the grow-your-own-food trend, put together a veggie patch that they were disappointed with. Maybe it was that they realized they didnt plant enough (i.e. "planted all that spinach and this is all I get?!") or didnt have luck with anything, or maybe just that it was all too much work.
Does this ring a bell for any of you? Did it cause you to give up, or almost cause you to decide not to do another veg garden this year?
Eager to hear from you
Thanks
Anne Marie

I planted 7 rows that were about 20-25 feet long and my family of 8 had corn every night for a few weeks. We ended up picking and freezing more than 200 ears when they all matured at the same time.

Four 6 foot long rows isn't really that much. You can expect at least one ear from every stalk of corn that grows. Corn is really not a good crop to grow if you don't have a lot of space. I think you should grow it, though. That's really the only way to decide if it's worth it to you or not.

I think it is certainly possible to have small a small area of corn, especially if it is to show your children how it grows. Most gardeners over here don't have room for rows and rows of corn and we're not as mad keen on it as in the US. You can have a small block, say 8 plants by 8, and you will get cobs. It is best to plant small amounts in blocks rather than rows to make pollination more reliable. It's a matter of taste of course, but I wouldn't want to have to eat corn every day for weeks.

I used to plant one 30' long row, w. stalks about 12-16" apart, and it did just fine

THanks. I don't want to eat it every night either. It will be nice to have some that we can say we grew. I have one child that is interested in gardening so it's mainly for her. It benefits the other 3 kids since they get to eat it.

I just wanted to try something different this year. Can anyone pass along any advice on what or what not to do?

I plant corn in sections of 4 rows 28 ft long. (I usually plant 2 or sometimes 3 sections on 2 week intervals.) You should be fine with 4 rows 6 ft long.

I have tried to plant corn every year and have done well. It definitely needs space and a full days worth of sun. Without much sun, the cobs will be very small and not worthwhile.

You should plant corn in squares - and this is for cross-pollination. If you can't do squares but only a few rows, then manual pollination is required. I've attached a link below for information on manual corn pollination.

I've always tried the Sugar Dots variety of corn with good results. This year I am going to try the Silver Queen variety which seems to have very good reviews and has been said to sometimes put on up to four ears of corn. Since I only have a 20 x 4 area, I can only plant about 60 stalks total - which is why I am hoping we can get at least two out of each stalk.

Here is a link that might be useful: Manually Pollinate Corn

Definatly worth it money wise who knows enjoyment and pure flavor no comparison 4 6 foot rows should yeild about 3 dozon ears if you get one ear per stalk pick the right type and hit it hard with fertilizer water and sun to get 2 ears per

As others said plant in a block sounds like that was your plan

Lots of nitrogen fertilizer

No mention yet of varieties to grow, so I will toss a few thoughts in. Look for an early hybrid sweet SE corn that gets between 6 and 7 ft tall. If you have a Lowe's or Home Depot in your area, they often have seed racks with Burpee seed on them. Breeder's Choice is usually available and will work for your conditions.

There are plenty of white, bicolor, and yellow sweet corn varieties available online. The key is to get one that matures in 65 to 75 days and gets no more than 7 ft tall. I suggest an SE variety because it gives the best balance of good flavor with holding ability on the stalk.

DarJones

this is my first year trying corn too, so I don't have advice in the growing portion, but I thought since it's for your kids, why not try a popcorn variety? I have strawberry popcorn and dakota black popcorn seeds, they are red or black kernels that will pop up white. They are suppose to store for a really long time in jars too.

I also bought Country Gentlemen sweet corn (from baker creek seeds.) I did read online that if you have more then one variety you shouldn't plant them anywhere near one another, as corn is air-pollinated.

Go ahead and plant your corn. Look at it this way, you are not only letting your children experience growing it, but every meal you serve your own home grown corn is a savings because you didn't have to buy it at the grocery. Fresh corn, m-m-m good.

As another idea instead of using a variety that matures quick, you can also maximize the space and grow pole green beans up each corn stalk. This is my plan for the year.

I plan to grow the Kentucky Wonder pole bean (since FedCo Seeds didn't have Fortex). I'll just use one bean plant per corn stalk.

By using a variety that matures slowly, the stalk will be in good shape to support the pole beans. The pole beans also fix nitrogen in the ground that the corn can then use immediately for itself.

Also - if you have heavy thunderstorms or wind in your area, you will need to stake up your corn stalks. Every year we have heavy winds blow through Central Illinois and cause all of the corn stalks to falter. The way I have done it (while probably not the best way) is just to put two stakes on either side of the row and use some string and go down the row of corn - just wrapping once around the stalk (don't tie it - because that may be where your ear grows).

Here is a link that might be useful: BsnTech Gardening Blog

My humble opinion about why you should grow corn...because it is AMAZING to eat. Silver Queen!

I have an 8'x8' patch. 2 plantings about 1 month apart.

Wouldn't it be fun for the kids if you can get some fish [or guts] to put under the seed row like the Indians did?

I think the hand-polinating idea would be fun for the kids, too. -- depending on age.

How about keeping a video or written 'journal'of progress of corn plants and results.

BTW -- sweet potatoes are another fun plant .... very easy to grow. Did you see the thread/video about growing them in a planter? I planted in my front yard last year and got raves from neighbors and a good "harevest' http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg100316244748.html?15

Anyway .... both you and your children are lucky you can garden together.