How to Manage Pests

Planting corn

Corn is generally direct seeded into the garden because it germinates so readily and is difficult to transplant. Corn should be planted on raised beds, made by adding large amounts of sifted compost or other soil amendments so that a bed is established above the previous level of soil. Beds should be about 36 inches wide with a row of corn on each side of the bed. Plants should be 8 to 12 inches apart in the row. Plant the seed 1 to 1.25 inches deep and firm the soil well over the seed. To insure pollination, plant corn in blocks instead of long rows. Make several successive plantings for a longer harvest period. Usually plant every 3 weeks in early spring to every week in the later spring period for successive harvests.