Corn planting and care in the open field in the middle lane

Corn is an excellent plant that, when properly cared for, yields a good harvest of delicious sweet cobs. Corn contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals. It is unpretentious to growing conditions and "gets along well" with many cultures. Today you will learn how to properly cultivate corn in the open field: planting, care, etc. We will also introduce you to the main varieties of this beautiful plant (photo examples are attached).

The main varieties and varieties of corn: a detailed description

Corn is an annual plant belonging to the cereal family. It has a very strong fibrous root, which spreads quite widely in the soil (1.5-2 m around). The stalk of corn is straight, with knots, and can reach a height of several meters. On the lower nodes there are light aerial roots, which serve as a kind of stabilizer for the massive upper part of the plant, on which the fruits ripen. The leaves of corn are quite large - about 10-15 cm wide and can reach one meter in length. The plant contains both female and male inflorescences (panicles). The latter are located in the lower part of the stem, while the former are located at the ends of young ears. Pollen from panicles is carried by the wind and falls on spikelets located at the ends of the ears.

Corn grain is rich in vitamins and minerals. Female flowers of corn excrete bile, stimulate the work of the pancreas and liver, as well as the digestive tract. Corn seeds contain a large amount of B vitamins, flavonoids, niacin, etc. Corn oil is a good vessel cleaner, as it removes excess cholesterol.

Corn is good for both children and adults

Today, there are about ten main varieties of corn, depending on the structure of the cobs and use: sugar, tooth-like, flint, starchy, bursting, waxy, etc. All these varieties, except for the first, are used only for industrial purposes: for the production of starch, flour, alcohol, molasses, cereals, everyone's favorite corn sticks, etc.

Consider the varieties of sweet corn that best adapt to unfavorable growing conditions:

• Sundance. An early variety with fairly large ears. Two fruits ripen on one plant. Grains are light yellow. Suitable for growing in cold regions. It is used boiled, but also great for preservation.
• Spirit.This variety perfectly adapts to almost any climate, so it can be grown everywhere in Russia. The hybrid is quite new, has ears with bright yellow grains of a delicate sweet taste.
• Dobrynya. Early variety. The ears grow quite large and taste sweet. It is unpretentious to the soil on which it is planted, it is resistant to diseases. Used in food in any form.
• Swift. Unusual variety. The plant is dwarf, with early ripening ears, very sweet in taste.
• Triple sweetness. A very unpretentious variety for growing conditions. As the name implies, the ears are exceptionally sweet and delicate.

Planting plants in open ground

Corn can be planted outdoors in two ways: seed and seedlings. You must first choose a site suitable for growing. The place should be warm with free access to sunlight. To the soil, corn, in principle, is unpretentious, but still the best option would be light soil with shallow groundwater.

The soil must be dug in advance in order to free it from the predecessor crop. This is done in early autumn, even before the onset of cold weather.

Advice. If time permits, you can water the soil well to encourage the growth of the weed and then weed it thoroughly.

On the eve of the winter cold, fertilizers need to be added to the soil. Regular humus (5 kg) is perfect, also add double superphosphate (200 g) and potassium salt (about 100 g). All figures are per square meter. Then be sure to dig up the soil (shallow - on the bayonet of the shovel). In the spring, a couple of weeks before sowing, nitrophosphate should be added to the soil - 50 g per 1 square meter and fluffed up a little.

It is necessary to start planting corn only when the temperature stably starts to stop at the level of at least 10-12 degrees. On the day of planting with seeds, the soil needs to be loosened a little. The seeds are pre-prepared by heating at a temperature of about 35 degrees (3-5 days), and then soaked in warm water. Sowing can be started in late spring - early May.

Corn sprouts

It is necessary to sow seeds in rows, keeping a distance of about half a meter between them. There must be free space between the plants in the row (about 40 cm). We make holes about 6-7 cm deep and immerse several seeds in each. Sprinkle on top with damp earth, and then mulch it already dry.

When the first shoots appear (after about 10 days), leave only the strongest in each hole, remove the rest.

Advice. You need to sow corn in a square-nesting way, otherwise it will not be able to self-pollinate well.

When planting corn by the seedling method, you first need to grow seeds in pots of no more than 200 g in volume with the addition of peat or humus, sand (the ratio of peat / humus and sand should be 1: 1). You can also add some ash and nitrophosphate. The seeds deepen by 2-3 cm and sprinkle with sand on top. Before the sprouts appear, the seedlings should be in a room warmed up to 25 degrees. After the first shoots appear, you can move the pots to a cooler room.

A week before planting in open ground, the sprouts need to be watered and fed a little. About a month after the sprouts appear, you can transplant the seedlings into the ground.

Corn care

In order for corn to reproduce properly, it is necessary to feed it more often, treat the area and be sure to water it regularly. But first things first.

Since at first the corn "creeps" up very slowly, it needs some help: weeding and loosening will only benefit it. The soil under the corn should always be loose, clean (no weeds). But it is possible to plow the soil only until the additional roots appear.When this happens, be sure to do a couple of hillocks to strengthen them.

Corn needs regular weeding

When the number of corn leaves increases significantly, the plant must be carefully weeded out, while getting rid of weak shoots.

With the onset of the phase of active reproduction and growth of the plant, stepchildren usually appear (you can find corresponding photos on the Internet to have an idea of ​​how they look). They must be destroyed immediately, as they will take all the nutrients from future ears.

Attention! Usually, a large number of stepchildren on a plant appears with a fairly rare sowing. Take note of this.

Corn loves moisture, but it shouldn't be abundant. Watering should be carried out approximately once every 7-10 days or when the soil dries out deep enough (about 5 cm). When watering, moisture must penetrate into the ground to a depth of 10-12 cm. Otherwise, the cobs will form half-empty.

Top dressing and fertilization of crops

Corn is very fond of "eating", so feeding should be generous. For the entire period of growth and reproduction of the plant, fertilizer should be applied at least 3 times. The first time - when the first leaves appear - in the form of manure / bird droppings. The second time - during the flowering of the plant or when tying the first ear - in the form of nitrophoska mixed with trace elements (50 g per square meter). You can scatter a couple of glasses of ash around the area. And, finally, in the third - in the form of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (30-40 g per square meter).

Caution: pests and diseases

The most common maize diseases are:

1. Bacteriosis This fungal disease can damage not only the ears, but also the plant itself (stems and leaves). A diseased plant must be destroyed immediately (it is advisable to burn it). To prevent the occurrence of this disease, the seeds must be treated with trichodermine and added to the water for irrigation.
2. Helminthosporiosis. This disease manifests itself when potassium intake is insufficient. Outwardly, this is manifested in the waviness of the leaves. The disease affects the ears - they grow almost without grains. At the first signs of the disease, the plant must be fed with potash fertilizers (40 g per bucket of water). For each plant - a couple of liters of solution.
3. Aphids, bug bugs and other pests. Since corn is not treated with chemicals, to prevent the appearance of various insect pests, plants (during the period of mass appearance of ears) are sprayed with a solution of bioinsecticides - once every two weeks.

Corn disease - stem rot

Combining corn with other plants

The best predecessors for corn will be winter crops, tomatoes, members of the pumpkin family, sweet peppers.

Corn goes well with soybeans, which, moreover, will perfectly protect the young plant from the raids of the turtle bug. A wonderful combination, even a kind of tandem, occurs in corn and cucumber. The corn, in turn, helps the cucumber grow by protecting it from the wind.

We got acquainted with the process of growing and caring for corn in the open field. If you follow all the rules and basic recommendations given in this article, you can get a rich and tasty harvest.

Growing corn: video

How to plant corn: photo

Corn, as a valuable protein delicacy, has a lot of fans. Few people can refuse a sweet cob. You can grow this culture in the country. At the same time, she will not require undue attention to herself, and if there is not enough space on the site, it is not necessary to allocate a separate bed for her.

If you plant corn in the garden in compliance with the rules and terms, then in the second half of summer (with the onset of milk ripeness) you can delight your household with a healthy and tasty dessert.

Biological features of the species

Before you start growing a new crop on your site, it is worth studying its biological characteristics in order to better understand the plant's preferences. Corn is a tall cereal that forms a deeply penetrating root system. It belongs to warm and light-loving plants.

Sowing should be carried out in soil warmed up to 10-12 ºC. The growing season from germination to milky-wax ripeness, depending on the variety, is 70-120 days. In private gardening, early ripening varieties are grown.

Collecting the cobs is carried out when the upper fibers darken. If you expand such an ear, then the grains will be yellow and poured, but still soft enough, and when pressed with a fingernail, juice will be released. Harvesting is best done in several stages to prevent the seeds from overripe. Overripe ears after boiling remain tough and lose their taste. Plucked ears cannot be stored for a long time (no more than 2 days at room temperature and no more than 20 at zero), but they can be preserved and frozen.

For the formation of a crop and a powerful vegetative mass, corn consumes a lot of nutrients and thus depletes the soil, therefore, when growing it, it is necessary to introduce organic matter and mineral fertilizers.

Modern hybrids with a short growing season and high cold resistance can be successfully grown in the northern regions. But, if in the south fertile and moisture-consuming loams are preferable for corn, then in the north quickly warmed up sandy loam soils are more suitable for corn.

Growing corn seedlings

In regions with late spring and short summer, corn is cultivated in seedlings, which allows you to harvest several weeks earlier. It is better to sow seeds in individual peat pots or cassettes with 45 cm3 cells. A universal soil mixture from garden soil, humus and sand is suitable as a substrate.

Seedlings can be grown in a film greenhouse or greenhouse, provided that measures are taken to accelerate soil warming. Planting corn seedlings is carried out by hatching seeds. For this, the seeds treated with fungicide are spread on wet gauze or filter paper a few days before planting.

In addition to the described methods of growing seedlings in the ground, resourceful gardeners came up with the idea of ​​growing seedlings without land in the so-called paper rolls.

The timing depends on the region, on average, seedlings should appear a month before the planned planting in a permanent place. Seedling care consists in moderate watering and two additional fertilizing with liquid universal fertilizers.

The root system of maize is sensitive to damage, so when planting maize outdoors, root breakage should be avoided. Some gardeners who have experience in seedling corn cultivation in the country claim that direct sowing into the ground gives the best result. This opinion was formed due to the sensitivity of corn to replanting.

If the seedlings are outgrown, grown in a common box, did not receive phosphorus in top dressing, or were planted too early, then you should not expect a good harvest. As with any culture, the seedling method is more time and labor intensive.

When to plant corn outdoors?

The timing of planting corn directly into the ground with the seedless method is determined by the region of cultivation and the prevailing weather conditions. Since this plant is sensitive even to low positive temperatures (seeds will not germinate at temperatures below 10 ºC, and young plants will stop growing when the temperature drops), do not rush to plant.

In the south of Russia, sowing is recommended to be carried out in early May. For Central Russia and the Moscow region, the timing is shifted by 2-3 weeks. As a rule, summer residents adhere to the general rule for all heat-loving vegetable crops.Modern cold-resistant hybrids can be sown earlier, but in such cases, young seedlings may need temporary shelter (film stretched over arcs or covering material). In the Moscow region, two-week-old seedlings are often used for planting, which are planted after recurrent frosts and quickly start to grow.

Vegetable corn can also be grown in Siberia. Here conditions allow to get a harvest of milky-wax ripeness, but the ripening of the ears does not occur. Sowing is carried out in late May or early June. At the same time, experts do not recommend using sprouted or swollen seeds. It is enough to sow high-quality seeds on the ridges of a well-heated area. Black agrofibre, which attracts the sun's rays, will help speed up the warming of the soil.

In the Urals and the Far East, summer residents practice greenhouse cultivation of corn, allocating narrow strips around the perimeter for it. Sowing in the greenhouse can be carried out already at the beginning of May. If it is possible to use supplementary lighting, then the seeds are sown in April for seedlings at home.

Corn planting rules

Corn is a specific plant. On the one hand, it is drought-resistant and unpretentious, and on the other hand, its agricultural technology has many subtleties. Many growing problems can be avoided if you know how to properly plant corn in your summer cottage.

First of all, you must follow the recommended landing pattern. Firstly, because corn is a cross-pollinated plant, a certain arrangement in several rows is required for a full set of ears. Secondly, because corn is very light-requiring and does not tolerate even the slightest shading from its fellows. Thirdly, because at the first stage of growth, corn gives a small increase and unnecessarily rare plantings may suffer from overdrying the row spacings.

In private gardening, the following planting scheme is used: row sowing in holes of two seeds with an interval of 35 cm, in 2-3 rows with a distance between rows of 40-50 cm, or square-nest sowing with a distance between plants of 45 cm (on 1 square meter should accommodate approximately 9 plants).

The planting depth is determined by two factors: soil moisture and seed condition (germinated or dry). If you plant swollen seeds with sprouts in warm and moist soil, then it is enough to deepen them by 3 - 4 cm. Dry seeds need to be deepened deeper (by 5 - 6 cm).

For giving, joint planting of corn with other vegetables is relevant. It goes well with cucumbers, pumpkin, beans and beans. At the same time, if optimal conditions are created for the growth of two crops, then an increase in their yield is noted.

A negative cultivation experience can be associated with failure to comply with two important rules:

• it is necessary to save the required nutritional area for each plant (if you plant corn as a compactor, then there will not be enough food and sun for anyone and you risk being left without a crop at all);
• fertilizing with liquid organic fertilizers and mineral complexes is mandatory, since joint planting increases the load on the soil.

Corn serves as a good support for lashes of cucumbers, so holes for them can be made on both sides of the row at a distance of 40 cm.But heavy pumpkin vines can injure corn shoots, so it is better to place corn around the perimeter of the pumpkin patch at a distance of 50 cm and follow the direction lashes.

Beans and beans can be sown together with corn, but subject to mandatory thinning, so that one representative of the species remains in one hole. It is noted that with joint plantings, the likelihood of developing diseases decreases.

And the last point - do not plant corn along the fence or in the shade of the house. This culture is very demanding on lighting. If you want to pamper your loved ones with sweet cobs, then set aside a place for her on the sunniest side of the site.

Selection of varieties and recommendations for care

For sowing, it is necessary to use varieties zoned in a specific region or, ideally, varieties of local selection. For Siberia, the Urals and the Far East, only cold-resistant, early-maturing hybrids with high yields are suitable. In the Moscow region, you can grow mid-season varieties and even get your own seeds for sowing next year. You can also experiment with unusual varieties that are considered decorative.

The group of cold-resistant and early-maturing hybrids and varieties of sweet corn: Lakomka 121, Golden Fleece, Spirit and Dobrynya. In Central Russia, you can grow varieties and hybrids with an average ripening period (80-90 days): Early Zolotaya 401 and Sundance. The Ice Nectar variety with a late ripening period under the conditions of the Moscow region gives a good harvest of sweet ears of milk ripeness, and it is quite possible to obtain seeds in favorable years.

Caring for vegetable corn has some peculiarities. Despite the fact that it is a drought-resistant species, during a prolonged drought and during the period of flowering and crop formation, it needs abundant watering, followed by loosening of the row spacings.

The vegetable variety is prone to the formation of numerous stepchildren, which take away some of the nutrients and prevent the plant from forming full-fledged cobs. Therefore, it is recommended to remove all lateral branches, leaving only 2-4 main ears.

During the season, corn must be huddled twice and 2-3 top dressing should be carried out. The first feeding is carried out at the beginning of active growth with organic fertilizer (infusion of mullein or bird droppings), during the flowering period the plants are fed with mineral fertilizers. If, after planting seedlings or the emergence of seedlings, there is a threat of a cold snap, then foliar feeding with phosphorus will reduce stress and prevent the plants from stunting.

Corn does not have to be planted in a vegetable patch; it can also be placed in a recreation area. It will become an exotic design element and will only take up a few square meters.

Corn is an annual plant with a strong stem and root system. Depending on the variety, the culture reaches from 4 to 7 m in height. Corn is grown everywhere: early maturing low-growing varieties are grown in cold regions. In the article we will tell you how and in what time frame corn is planted in the open field, and we will give recommendations to gardeners.

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The best varieties of corn

• For cultivation on sites and for industrial purposes, six varieties of corn are planted:
• flint is the most common early maturing variety. Mature grains of yellow or whitish shades have a smooth, shiny surface. Most often used for the production of sweet sticks, cereals, flakes;
• starchy - refers to the late varieties, has an average height. The grains are characterized by a matte smooth surface and a loose, mealy structure. Mainly alcohol and starch are made from corn;
• sugar is the most popular variety among summer residents (according to numerous reviews). Certain varieties of corn can have grains of golden, red and even black shades. Several ears are tied on low stems. The most popular variety for canning;
• odontoid - late-ripening variety, distinguished by large elongated grains. Corn is grown for fattening livestock and for processing into cereals, flour, alcohol;
• bursting - grown all over the world and used to make popcorn. Many medium-sized dense cobs are tied on the bushes;
• waxy - differs in grains with opaque outer layers resembling wax. The structure of the grains is sticky, mealy.

Planting dates for corn

Corn is a warm and light-loving plant, so it is not recommended to rush to plant it in spring. Sowing should be carried out when the soil warms up to a temperature of 10-12 degrees, which usually occurs in early or mid-May, depending on the region.With the seedling method, the cultivation of sowing corn seeds at home is carried out no earlier than mid-March, which will make it possible to get seedlings with 2-3 true leaves by the time of planting in open ground.

The duration of the growing season of the crop is 70-120 days, so you can independently calculate the optimal timing of planting corn.

Presowing preparation of corn grains

Sow corn seeds in open ground in dry and germinated form. Before sowing, like other plant seeds, maize grains are sorted. The highest quality seeds (large and whole grains) are selected. Before starting the germination of seeds, the selected seed is placed in special linen bags and warmed up in the sun for 3-4 days. The sun-warmed seeds are ready for germination.

Germinating corn seeds is not difficult if you follow the step-by-step instructions:

• Seeds are disinfected in a solution of formalin or potassium permanganate. The seed disinfection procedure lasts approximately 20-30 minutes.
• The seeds are removed from the solution and washed in warm water. The washed seeds are laid out to dry on thick paper or cloth.
• A gauze cloth is laid out in several layers in a wide flat container and the gauze is abundantly moistened with warm water using a spray bottle.
• Seeds are evenly spread on the surface of wet gauze and left for 5-6 days to germinate.
• Sprouted seeds should be planted the same day. The optimal time of day for sowing seeds is in the morning.

Choosing a site for planting corn

There is an opinion that the cultivation of corn seedlings is possible only in the southern regions of the country. However, sowing corn in the garden can also be carried out in regions with a temperate climate. The main thing is a well-lit, warm place, protected from the wind.

Before planting corn, you need to worry about the plant's neighbors. It is better to choose a place next to a pumpkin, which protects the root system of corn from overheating with its wide leaves, or with legumes - they release nitrogen, which corn needs.

Also, when choosing a site for planting, gardeners often think about the best way to plant corn. The best predecessors will be grains, pulses, cucumbers, tomatoes, and root vegetables.

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In order not to worry about how corn grows and bears fruit in the future, you need to worry in advance about the composition of the soil in which the crop will grow. The best option would be a well-heated, well-drained soil with good moisture levels and a high level of humus.

Corn planting procedure

• Holes in the garden are dug 6-7 cm deep.
• Disembarkation takes place in rows, between which it is necessary to leave a distance of half a meter. And leave a distance of 40 cm between the seeds.
• Several seeds must be planted in each hole at once in order to increase the percentage of germination.
• Seeds are sprinkled on top with moistened soil and mulched on top with dry ones.
• After 10 days, seedlings will appear - inspect them and leave the strongest in each hole. Weak ones need to be removed.

Corn care

In order for corn to reproduce properly, it is necessary to feed it more often, treat the area and be sure to water it regularly. But first things first.

Since at first the corn "creeps" up very slowly, it needs some help: weeding and loosening will only benefit it. The soil under the corn should always be loose, clean (no weeds). But it is possible to plow the soil only until the additional roots appear. When this happens, be sure to do a couple of hillocks to strengthen them.

When the number of corn leaves has increased significantly, the plant must be carefully weeded out, while getting rid of weak shoots.

With the onset of the phase of active reproduction and growth of the plant, stepchildren usually appear (you can find corresponding photos on the Internet to have an idea of ​​how they look). They must be destroyed immediately, as they will take all the nutrients from future ears.

Corn loves moisture, but it shouldn't be abundant. Watering should be carried out approximately once every 7-10 days or when the soil dries out deep enough (about 5 cm). When watering, moisture must penetrate into the ground to a depth of 10-12 cm. Otherwise, the cobs will form half-empty.

Corn is very fond of "eating", so feeding should be generous. For the entire period of growth and reproduction of the plant, fertilizer should be applied at least 3 times. The first time - when the first leaves appear - in the form of manure / bird droppings. The second time - during the flowering of the plant or when tying the first ear - in the form of nitrophoska mixed with trace elements (50 g per square meter). You can scatter a couple of glasses of ash around the area. And, finally, in the third - in the form of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (30-40 g per square meter).

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Corn pest control

Corn is one of the most attractive crops for the wireworm (click beetle larvae). They just appear on the white light in late May - early June, very voracious and capable of destroying young plants.

Therefore, during spring digging (enough for a shovel bayonet), you need to carefully select and destroy pests, add lime or ash to the acidic soil, and treat the highly contaminated soil with a special preparation (Barguzin, Pochin, Provotox).

Many gardeners are trying to plant corn in their summer cottage, as its tasty and healthy fruits are liked not only by adults, but also by children. And the unpretentiousness of the culture with minimal care allows you to grow and care for the plant without much difficulty.

Features of growing corn

Growing corn on your site makes it possible to get a natural vegetable without an increased content of pesticides. In addition to delicious fruits, you can use the stigmas of plants to prepare home remedies to help normalize liver function.

Although corn is an unpretentious crop, watering alone will not be enough. Most gardeners have a misconception that this plant can be grown especially in the southern regions of the country, but this is not the case. IN northern regions corn also grows successfully, but with the use seedling planting method... This is due to the fact that the plant does not have time to reach technical maturity during the season.

In addition, when growing corn in the country, you must take into account the main points:

• the correct choice of varieties in accordance with the climatic zone;
• adherence to the timing of planting seeds or seedlings;
• choice of location, taking into account the preferences of the plant;
• compliance with the rules of further care;
• timely harvest.

When to plant corn: planting timing

Corn is a warm and light-loving plant, so it is not recommended to rush to plant it in the spring. Sowing should be carried out when the soil warms up to a temperature of 10-12 degrees, which usually occurs in early or mid-May, depending on the region.

With the seedling method, the cultivation of sowing corn seeds at home is carried out no earlier than mid-March, which will make it possible to get seedlings with 2-3 true leaves by the time of planting in open ground.

Many gardeners believe that corn should be planted according to the lunar calendar.

Auspicious days according to the lunar calendar, when you should sow corn in open ground in 2018, are the following dates:

• in March - 9-12, 20-24, 25, 27;
• in April - 5, 6-11, 19-23;
• in May - 4-9, 11, 19-23.

The following are considered unfavorable days for sowing corn in 2018:

• in March - 1-3, 16, 30;
• in April - 15-17, 29-30;
• in May - 14-16, 28-30.

The duration of the growing season of the crop is 70-120 days, so you can independently calculate the optimal timing of planting corn.

Important! Corn painfully tolerates temperature changes, therefore, in case of a possible cold snap, it is recommended to cover the crops with foil.

How to plant corn: preparation and planting

In order for the plant to actively grow, it is necessary to carry out several preparatory procedures in advance. This will help in the future to achieve the desired yield.

Site selection and site preparation

The place for planting corn must be bright and well lit. The preparation of the site consists in digging it up from the fall or a month before the alleged procedure. At the same time, it is recommended to apply a complex of mineral fertilizers in the following proportion for each meter of the plot:

• superphosphate - 30 g;
• potassium sulphide - 20 g;
• ammonium nitrate - 15 g.

For maximum efficiency, experts recommend applying organic fertilizers at the rate of 5 liters per meter of prepared area. Then the surface should be leveled.

Often, gardeners prefer to grow corn in the country with other crops as a support and protection from drafts. But at the same time, it must be borne in mind that it also needs shelter from the cold northern winds, therefore it is recommended to plant the plant near a fence or under the cover of neighboring trees. The corn planting site needs to be changed every third year.

Ideal neighbor for corn are cucumbers.

Note! Optimal predecessors for corn are beans, tomatoes, cabbage and potatoes, as well as squash and pumpkin. It is not recommended to plant a crop after millet, since they are affected by the same pest.

What soil is needed and how to prepare it

Corn prefers to grow on loamy, sandy loam and peat soils with a weak or neutral acidity level.

Experts allow growing a plant on poor soils with high acidity, but subject to certain rules that will help eliminate deficiencies and change the structure.

1. In autumn when preparing the site, it is recommended to add 10 liters humus for every square meter.
2. One month before sowing in spring need to make wood ash (1.5 kg) and dolomite flour (0.5 kg) for each meter of the prepared area.

Presowing seed preparation

Each gardener decides for himself to plant corn seeds in a dry or germinated form, but initially it is necessary to select planting material according to external signs, excluding any damaged and deformed specimens. The better this stage is carried out, the higher the percentage of germination will be in the end.

Before starting the procedure for germinating corn kernels, it is advisable to preheat the seeds in the sun, while wrapping them in any natural material. The duration of the session is 4 days. In the future, the procedure is carried out in compliance with all stages:

1. Place the seeds in a bright pink solution of potassium permanganate (0.02 mg per 1 liter of water) for 30 minutes to disinfect them.
2. After the time has elapsed, it is necessary to rinse the planting material in clean water and dry it on paper.
3. Put cheesecloth on a plate in several layers and moisten it from a spray bottle.
4. Arrange the corn seeds on top and cover with a similar wet layer of material.
5. Place the plate in a dark place at 25 degrees.
6. The sprouts will appear within 5 days.
7. After that, you need to plant the seeds in moist soil.

When planting dry corn kernels, it is recommended to carry out only disinfection, after which the seeds should be dried and planted.

Algorithm for planting seeds in the ground

Corn is considered a drought-resistant crop that does not require special care, but, nevertheless, it is necessary to follow some rules of its agricultural technology.By observing them, you can avoid many problems in the future.

Step-by-step instructions for planting corn seeds in open ground are as follows:

1. Loosen the soil and level the surface.
2. Make rows 4-7 cm deep at a distance of 50-60 cm at least 2-3 pieces, since corn is a cross-pollinated crop.
3. Water the planting indentations liberally and wait until the moisture is completely absorbed.
4. Spread the seeds at a distance of 35 cm.
5. Sprinkle with soil and compact the surface.

Dry seeds must be planted at a depth of at least 7 cm, and sprouted seeds - 4 cm.

Note! It is impossible to compact corn crops, since with a lack of nutritional area and sunlight, the harvest can not wait at all.

Features of planting seedlings and subsequent planting in the ground

It is recommended to plant corn seedlings outdoors at the age of 30 days. Therefore, sowing seeds at home is recommended in March - April. This will make it possible to get ready-made seedlings by the beginning of the season, when the threat of late frosts has passed and the soil warms up to the required temperature.

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Maize forms a long taproot and is therefore negatively transplanted. To minimize plant stress, planting seeds for seedlings should be carried out in peat cups.

To do this, you need to prepare the substrate in the following proportions:

• 2 parts of turf soil;
• 1 part peat;
• 1 part sand;
• 1 part humus.

Fill containers with soil mixture, water abundantly and plant seeds in them one by one to a depth of 3-4 cm. For successful germination, it is recommended to place peat cups in a bright place at a temperature of 23-25 ​​degrees. Seedlings will appear within 5 days. After that, the temperature regime should be reduced to 20 degrees, which will help to avoid stretching the sprouts. Transplanting corn seedlings into open ground should be carried out when favorable weather is established in the phase of 2-3 true leaves. Planting seedlings in the soil is carried out together with peat containers, which will later be additional food for the seedlings and will exclude damage to the root system during transplantation.

Video: subtleties of planting corn through seedlings in open ground

Further care of corn

Note! At the initial stage, corn develops at a slow pace, so you need to take this into account and be patient.

The rapid growth of seedlings begins in the phase of the formation of the first node, and by the flowering period the daily growth is about 12 cm.Then a period of repeated growth retardation begins, since all the plant's forces are redistributed to the formation and maturation of ears.

Given these features of the development of culture, it is necessary to provide full care throughout the season.

Watering

Despite the fact that corn is considered a drought-resistant crop, at certain periods of development, it desperately needs abundant and timely watering.

The plant especially needs a sufficient amount of moisture when the seedling has reached the phase of 9 leaves, and later - during the flowering period and during the pouring of the grain.

Top dressing

For full-fledged growth and formation of cobs, it is necessary to feed corn at least 3 times during the season. The first time fertilization is carried out when 2 true leaves appear. During this period, it is best to use organic substances: rotted mullein 1:10 or chicken droppings 1:20.

When the plants come into bloom and when the first ear is formed, it is recommended to apply nitrophosphate at the rate of 50 g and 2 cups wood ash for each square meter, sprinkling the preparation just before watering or rain.

The third stage of feeding is carried out during the ripening of the ears and consists in using phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: superphosphate, potassium sulphide at the rate of 40 g per square meter.

Hilling and removing weeds

Initially, the development of corn seedlings requires constant loosening of the soil and regular removal of weeds, which will improve oxygen access to the roots. Subsequently, when additional surface roots are formed, this procedure should not be carried out so as not to damage them.

Then it is necessary to huddle each plant, which will allow:

• retain moisture at the roots and prevent them from drying out;
• to increase the resistance of plants to negative environmental factors;
• strengthen the main root and build up additional shoots;
• prevent the constant growth of weeds.

Video: basic rules for planting and caring for corn, watering and feeding

Pests and diseases of corn

Like all crops, corn is susceptible to fungal diseases and pests. Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with its most common problems in order to respond in time and take the necessary measures.

• Bacteriosis Affects stalks, leaves and ears of corn. Affected specimens are subject to immediate destruction. For the prevention of the disease, it is recommended to water the seedlings with trichodermine according to the instructions for the drug.
• Helminthosporiosis. It develops against the background of a lack of potassium in the soil. It is manifested at the initial stage by waviness of the leaves. In the absence of measures, it affects the quality of the ears, as a result of which they grow almost without grain. To eliminate the disease, it is necessary to feed corn with potassium sulfide at the rate of 40 g per 10 liters, pouring 2 liters under each plant.
• Swedish fly, wireworm, corn moth. These are the worst pests of corn, but since the crop begins to form cobs early, chemical preparations are not acceptable for processing. Spraying should be carried out with insecticides of biological origin once every 2 weeks during the period of mass accumulation of insects.

When to harvest corn and how to store

When exactly to harvest corn, each gardener decides independently, since it depends on the ultimate goal of growing this crop.

For fresh consumption, it is recommended to harvest corn cobs in the milky stage of ripening, when the grains are still soft and have a light yellow tint.

If the plant is grown for grain, which must subsequently be stored for a long time, then the corn harvest must be carried out no earlier than the biological maturity of the cobs. A sign of it is the darkening of the tips of the panicle.

Note! You cannot pick the cobs all at once, and it is recommended to start collecting them from the top, and only then those that are below.

Stir corn (grain) for storage in a dry, well-ventilated area. Moreover, it is necessary on some kind of elevation, which will help protect the crop from rodents.

Corn can be saved for the winter by freezing it in the freezer.

Features of planting and caring for corn in Ukraine

Since the territory of Ukraine combines three climatic zones, the timing of planting corn in open ground will differ significantly.

When growing a crop in the steppe it is recommended to plant seeds in mid-April, as there is a possibility of early drought, which will negatively affect the initial stage of development.

In the forest-steppe zone it is better to land at the end of April, which is optimal for the region, and in forest zone it is better not to rush to sow and carry it out no earlier than mid-May, which is due to the more severe climate.

But these terms are very conditional, since, first of all, the gardener must rely on the weather conditions of the current season and on the soil temperature.

In the future, plant care is carried out in accordance with the recommendations outlined.

If you follow the simple rules of planting and caring for corn, you can achieve a good harvest in any region. This will make it possible to please relatives with tasty cobs or provide pets with the necessary food.

Video: how to grow corn from A to Z