Go Crazy For Corn

Go Crazy For Corn

Sweet corn is a fun and handy staple vegetable to have in the garden. It can be eaten straight from the cob – great for encouraging kids to eat more veges – made into fritters, added to salads, and much, much more. And, did I mention, now’s the time to plant it?

Grab some Awapuni Nurseries sweet corn seedlings next time you’re down at your local supermarket, Bunnings, or The Warehouse. Alternatively, head to our online store at www.awapuni.co.nz and have them delivered direct to your door. For a family of around four people you’ll need around 20 plants or two bundles.

Now you need to find somewhere to plant them. Corn likes sunny and free-draining conditions. It will also need a bit of space to grow.

Once you’ve found the perfect spot dig a little hole and plant your seedlings around 20cm apart from each other. I like to plant mine in rows or in a group so each plant can support another, as they grow taller.

As the corncob starts to form it’s important to water to ensure the plants don’t dry out. You should be able to get around two cobs off a plant starting in late summer. Not sure if they’re ready? Peel back the husk of the cob a little bit and if they look juicy they’re ready. But if the corn looks a little hard it’s needs some more time.

Once you’ve harvested all the corn, pull the plants out. Sweet corn can take a lot of nitrogen out of the soil so try planting peas and beans in the spot where your corn was to bump up the nitrogen content again.

Tod Palenski Awapuni Nurseries www.awapuni.co.nz

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