Next to the fresh tomato, sweet corn is something I look forward to growing every summer!

I started planting Bodacious sweet corn about ten years ago. Bodacious sweet corn is a very sweet, sugary style corn that can be grown in a backyard or in garden pots. I have tried several different varieties, but my family loves the Bodacious sweet corn best.

When I started growing sweet corn, it was really by accident. I had extra room in a raised bed, so I thought, “why not put in some sweet corn?”

About ten years ago, I was at one of my many favorite greenhouses when I spotted some sweet corn that was just starting to grow in seed trays. I talked with the owner of the greenhouse and decided I would try to grow my own corn.

I planted six rows that were twelve feet long, thinking I would have perfect stalks and a high yield of corn.

One afternoon, in late July, the weather got very windy, and I thought all my hard work was ruined. After the storm passed, I was left with corn stalks at a 45-degree angle. My first thought was, “I need to straighten them all backup,” but within 48 hours, they had basically done that on their own, and it did not affect the yield.

All of the stalks had bent because I did not have enough room in my garden to plant multiple rows of corn. Planting more rows increases support to the stalks.

The following year I was concerned that this would happen again, so I staked the corners of the garden bed and ran rope between the stakes, providing support from the wind, and it worked!

Protecting your corn from wind damage should not prevent the stalks from being exposed to the wind. The wind is what assists the corn with pollination. The tassel at the top moves in the breeze, and the pollen falls onto the silk coming out of the husk. Each silk is attached to a kernel. So, when you find that some ears of corn are missing some kernels, it’s because the kernel was never pollinated.

Those of you out there who are growing your plants in pots, you can grow sweet corn too. You should plan to use 12-inch diameter pots about that around 18 inches deep, one plant per pot. Place these pots (if able) next to a structure that can offer support if needed. I put mine next to my garden shed. Water them in the morning and in the evening and give them some fertilizer. As the corn grows taller, you may notice some roots showing above the ground. These roots are called brace roots and supply stalk support.

I hope you get the opportunity to try growing corn. We like to freeze some to enjoy mid-winter.

If you find that you are not ready to try your hand at growing your own sweet corn, then you might want to stop by Tebbs Farms and Greenhouse. You can even place your order and have them vacuum seal it in bags ready for the freezer. There is nothing like sweet corn in the winter months.