How to Grow Your Own Corn for a Corn Burner
- 1). Select a location for planting corn with well-drained soil that receives full sun. Choose a location that allows for planting eight to 10 rows of corn that are at least 15 feet long.
- 2). Till the soil with a tiller and add rotted manure as fertilizer. Till the manure into the soil so that it is thoroughly mixed, and there are no large clumps of dirt remaining.
- 3). Create rows in the dirt for seeding the corn. Use a hoe to make rows that are 1/2 inch to 1 inch deep. Space the rows 2 to 3 feet apart. Create eight to 10 rows for planting, as corn relies on wind to pollinate other corn plants.
- 4). Place a kernel of corn in the row every 3 to 4 inches. Cover the corn kernels with dirt, making sure that they are no more than 1 inch deep in the ground.
- 5). Water the corn rows to keep the ground moist but not excessively wet so the kernels can germinate and sprout.
- 6). Thin the corn seedlings so there is 3 to 4 inches of space between each corn plant when the plants reach 4 to 6 inches in height. Mound dirt alongside the corn plants at this time to help provide support for roots and hold moisture.
- 7). Add liquid fertilizer to the corn rows when the corn plants reach knee height. Replenish the nutrients in the soil that are absorbed by the corn plants and lost by runoff. Select a liquid fertilizer with a balanced formula, such as 18-18-21 or similar, for vegetables. Follow the directions of the liquid fertilizer's manufacturer for application rates.
- 8). Leave the ears of corn on the corn stalk as the corn matures, dies and begins to dry. Allow the ears to thoroughly dry before harvesting, as this will make shelling easier to accomplish.
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