How do I know when to harvest corn?

[Gold Metal Flake]

I tried asking the corn, but...

[asdjrocky]

1. Good question-

I'm growing corn this year for the first time. Actually, this is my first garden ever, so everything I'm growing is for the first time. I've read that you wait until the silks turn brown, but as far as how it is "picked" I have no idea. I do hope we find out soon though, because my corn is almost as tall as I am.

[bvar22]

2. According to Mother Earth News....

"Once the ear feels plump and full when you squeeze it, pull back the shuck near the tip and pierce a kernel with your fingernail; it is ready to harvest if the juice is milky."---

June/July issue Mother Earth News, P.31

http://www.motherearthnews.com/

The whole article, All About Growing Sweet Corn was interesting and informative.

If you are growing your corn chemical free (no insecticides/pesticides/herbicides), you will want to put a few drops of mineral oil or cooking oil on the tip of each ear when they form. Repeat this as the tassels emerge.
Corn Earworms are common in most parts of the US. Moths lay the eggs on the tassels, and the grubs follow the tassels down into the ear where they feast on the kernels. The Oil trick is supposed to prevent this.

Last year was our first year for corn. The ears looked perfect, and I was a little shocked and mildly disgusted when we peeled back the shucks and found big gray worms nesting in between the kernels.

After the "EWWWWWW" wore off, we simply broke off the top 25% where the worms were. The rest was perfectly OK, and delicious.

We will be treating the ears with a few drops of cooking oil this year.

[bvar22]

3. The whole article is available online, no charge.

Just close the window displaying the subscription form.....
or better yet, subscribe.
Mother Earth News is one of our bibles.


http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/2008-06-01/How-to-Grow-Sweet-Corn.aspx

[asdjrocky]

4. Man that's great to know, thanks.

I have a lot of people looking forward to sweet corn, and I'd hate to have worms instead.