[gypsy]

Today I found at least half of my sweetcorn cobs, which are nearly ripe, had been stripped of their leaves and most of the kernels eaten. I thought it was prob birds so have netted the remainder. What does everyone else think?

[JayG]

This problem has been discussed several times recently on here and birds seem to be the least likely culprits - choose from deer, badgers, squirrels, mice, rats and voles depending on your local circumstances ("apologies" to any animal left off the list!  )

[Beetroot Queen]

This problem has been discussed several times recently on here and birds seem to be the least likely culprits - choose from deer, badgers, squirrels, mice, rats and voles depending on your local circumstances ("apologies" to any animal left off the list!  )

Badgers around here.  they love corn

[Plot_29@_Lady_Mary]

I am pretty lucky here at Lady Mary, Cardiff. Apart from a very windy plot as its on a hill slope, there are no serious problems except perhaps with magpies and pigeons!

[Kate and her Ducks]

Every single one of mine got taken by badgers.

Don't think netting would have made the slightest bit of difference. Don't think I will bother again as too depressing as they were all just a little shy of being worth picking. They haven't touched anything else.

[gypsy]

The cobs are still on the plant but the kernels have mostly been eaten, we do not have badgers, squirrels or deer that I know about so I am thinking birds, mice or rats. Lets hope the net works.

[Ghost]

Sorry to take it off topic, just thought better than making another sweetcorn thread.

Anyone know how long you can leave cobs on the plant for after they're ripe. How long before they are past their best?

[Kristen]

Anyone know how long you can leave cobs on the plant for after they're ripe. How long before they are past their best?

Dunno the answer, sorry, but I would prefer to leave them on the plant rather than in the fridge. The sugars start turning to starch from the moment they are picked (I have the pan on the stove, boiling, before I go to pick them ... but I'm a heathen, a purist would take the pan of boiling water TO the vegetable patch!!)

How important this still is, with the Super Sweet varieties, I don't know, but my BBQ lunch guests always rave about my sweetcorn - and all I do is grow it, pick it, boil it

Lots of folk pick and freeze ...

[surbie100]

Dunno the answer, sorry, but I would prefer to leave them on the plant rather than in the fridge. The sugars start turning to starch from the moment they are picked (I have the pan on the stove, boiling, before I go to pick them ... but I'm a heathen, a purist would take the pan of boiling water TO the vegetable patch!!)

I'm impressed at your dedication to corn! Mine's eaten in the hour....but I like your style. 

[gypsy]

If you leave it on the plant when it is ripe you will be lucky if the wild life do not eat it.

[pigguns]

I had woodlice  :blink: eat the ends and insides of a few of mine...... caught loads of the little blighters at it.  Not sure they would strip the leaves off first though.

[gavinjconway]

Dunno the answer, sorry, but I would prefer to leave them on the plant rather than in the fridge. The sugars start turning to starch from the moment they are picked (I have the pan on the stove, boiling, before I go to pick them ... but I'm a heathen, a purist would take the pan of boiling water TO the vegetable patch!!)

I'm impressed at your dedication to corn! Mine's eaten in the hour....but I like your style. 

On the farm my dad always said that if we tripped whilst bringing the corn to the house from the field we were to go back and pick more as they would be too old   

[gypsy]

I had woodlice  :blink: eat the ends and insides of a few of mine...... caught loads of the little blighters at it.  Not sure they would strip the leaves off first though.

I do not think they would be able to strip the leaves off. Last yr I had earwigs inside the leaves covering the cobs when the corn was ripe for picking.

[gobs]

Sorry to take it off topic, just thought better than making another sweetcorn thread.

Anyone know how long you can leave cobs on the plant for after they're ripe. How long before they are past their best?

Much better frozen than left out, they go though and unenjoyable (ie: cattlefodder).

[gobs]

Today I found at least half of my sweetcorn cobs, which are nearly ripe, had been stripped of their leaves and most of the kernels eaten. I thought it was prob birds so have netted the remainder. What does everyone else think?

I'm of the opinion, that birds, mice and rats do not strip leaves. Quite the contrary, they eat them. The last two, certainly.

Who is peeling, husking, etc. is either squirrel or badger. More like the first...