What was the soil temperature when you planted and at what depth did you plant? Was the seed treated? 80% germination is about optimum in my experience and that number will decline rapidly in less than optimum conditions. I always start an additional 25% more seed indoors under lights to fill in the skips.

It was mid May, along with bush green beans, sunflowers, tomato and winter squash seedlings. Not sure about the temp. The depth is about 1/2" or so. Planted out of the packet, not soaked or treated. Just not sure if this is seed prob, or bird prob, or anything else.

1/2" is too shallow for corn. It should be planted more in the 1 1/2" - 2" range. At 1/2" depth you might have had birds, mice, or other critters stealing it.

The dept is just a guess. I do not remember exactly how deep....

Last year I planted some corn that didn't come up very good and a friend planted some of the same variety purchased from the same place that did the same. My friend purchased some more of the same variety from the same place with the same results this year. I purchased mine from a different place this year and had good luck with it. I guess sometimes the germination goes bad.but I don't know why. I've kept seed for as long as 3 years before that still grew.

Now I feel better now. :-) I remember I planted some corns several years ago and had good germination rate. But the field was in open area and deer got part of it. So only got some immature ears. This year, I have deer fence up, but very few corns. I'll just try my luck next year. Or may try to save some fresh seeds (not hybrid) for next year.... Fresh seeds should do better.

Is NJ one of the states that got continual rain this summer? My packet of seeds says "corn seed will rot in wet soil, especially cool wet soil." I got about 5% germination rate this year from my first planting of corn in June (with continual rain).

We finally had three days in a row of no rain, and I replanted last week (raining again today . . . no rain predicted, and yet here it is. What a summer!) It might be too late (if we have frost before it's ready) but I figured it was worth the gamble.

Better luck next year to both of us!

When you have soil conditions conducive to seed rotting, treated seeds make a world of difference. Of course with a heavy soil saturated with water, the seed actually drowns. Not much you can do about that.

I ridge the rows up higher in wet conditions. I tend to do this ahead of time so that the raised soil is dryer and warmer.