I am in southeast Texas area (Houston area). I planted corn this spring for the first time. I planted Luther Hill, 18 plants in a block. I feel like I fertilized well, but since this is the first time I am willing to accept that I did not.

The problem: silks emerged BEFORE tassels were fully formed and had started shedding pollen. I thought it should have been the other way around. Any thoughts why this happened?

I am growing in a raised bed, with soil that is largely compost. The stalks grew well and seemed quite vigorous. Watering was frequent, although this was mostly accomplished by all the rain we've received. The plants were grown from seed and transplanted at about 6", on about March 1 (the soil was at 60º by that point. I fertilized heavy with alfalfa pellets and also blood meal, along with balanced fertilizer. I do have some ears , but they seem quite small at this point.

Thoughts on why the silks emerged and started to brown before the tassels were releasing pollen?