Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: BumbleJo on May 25, 2016, 20:40

Title: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: BumbleJo on May 25, 2016, 20:40
My Sweetcorn are getting big in the root trainers and the roots are showing through the bottoms but the weather is pretty grim here, lots of rain today and the temperature for the foreseeable looks around 14-16c and still under 10c night-time.  I'm wondering if I should hold off yet..?
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: fatbelly on May 25, 2016, 21:39
Tender plants like sweetcorn & squashes need a minimum night time temp of 10c.
They wont be happy with temp this low but will survive. My squashes are going on my plot on Sunday.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tracybutton on May 25, 2016, 21:45
Just planted mine out yesterday because I had to due to their size. I've put wind breaks all around them and today despite the wind and rain they look ok. I'm in the north so it might be cold for another week so the wind breaks just take the edge off.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Trikidiki on May 25, 2016, 23:05
Mine are having their first night out tonight. It's worse than sending your daughter out on her first date.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: BumbleJo on May 25, 2016, 23:34
Mine are having their first night out tonight. It's worse than sending your daughter out on her first date.
  :ohmy: :lol:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: J_B on May 26, 2016, 00:08
am down south - put mine in about 2 weeks ago...they are growing fine
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: m1ckz on May 26, 2016, 04:36
today are going in the alottment
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Fairy Plotmother on May 26, 2016, 11:19
Mine have been in for 2 weeks. They are fine. I am hoping that I get toms, Cucumbers and squashes out tomorrow as I am away til next Thursday.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: lettice on May 26, 2016, 11:30
Mine have been in just over a week and doing fine.
Just love when they start growing form seed so quick. They really are a very reliable seed germination crop, 100% this year as previous years.
I'm growing mine in a new and an old raised beds this year, instead of their normal plot and so far they are loving it in there.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: jaydig on May 26, 2016, 13:58
All my sweetcorn and courgette plants went in last weekend, and they're fine.  Put two butternut squash in yesterday, and all the outdoor tomatoes are in.  I guess it will depend where in the country you are.  I'm in Worcestershire, so we haven't had the extremes of temperature that some of you have.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Nobbie on May 26, 2016, 18:33
I potted mine up into 500g yoghurt pots so they can stay in the greenhouse a bit longer, as they really sulk if it's too cold outside. They can grow pretty big in the yoghurt pots without being held back, so I can wait until a bit later before planting out.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tenhens on May 26, 2016, 19:18
Have just been looking at ours in the greenhouse and thinking the very same thing.  I've got about 40 plants waiting to go.   As been mentioned it depends where you are. Also worth seeing what other plot holders are doing ,

Wind breaks round them sounds a good idea.

Mine struggled last year , have just looked in last years diary , planted on 23rd May.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Headgardener22 on May 26, 2016, 20:01
Planted yesterday after hardenning off. Same as last year and the year before.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Mattgregory27 on May 26, 2016, 20:50
Mine went out yesterday, they were hardened off so should manage.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Middlesexbloke on May 26, 2016, 22:38
Mine went out yesterday, look fine today .
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: madcat on May 26, 2016, 22:43
Mine and my plot neighbours went out today.  They needed to go, but I hope the cold winds keep away.  They are in a fleece enclosure to give them that bit more protection.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: wapello on May 27, 2016, 06:24
Mine have been out  3 weeks now lost 2 to the critters so will replace them with some from the garden centre,,,
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Beekissed on May 27, 2016, 07:54
Planted sweet corn seed into the garden last week.  We are getting rain and hot weather this week, so they should germinate well and quickly. 
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: mumofstig on May 27, 2016, 08:20
  We are getting rain and hot weather this week

We've got rain - so could I borrow some of your heat for a while. Pretty please  :D
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Gardener and Rabbit on May 27, 2016, 10:05
Planted my sweetcorn & squash out yesterday, forecast here is now for min 10c overnight so they should be ok.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: annieanne49 on May 27, 2016, 13:31
I put 48 seeds in modules and only 16 germinated this year. Usually get about 90% so disappointed
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Gryphon on May 27, 2016, 17:01
I put 48 seeds in modules and only 16 germinated this year. Usually get about 90% so disappointed

The same happened to me last year so, this year i planted 60 to compensate for losses and 59 germinated  ::)
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: pigguns on May 27, 2016, 18:34
  We are getting rain and hot weather this week

We've got rain - so could I borrow some of your heat for a while. Pretty please  :D
Did it improve? we've been sweltering today in south London!
Sweetcorn and pumpkins all ready to go and sitting outside in back garden for a week or so, waiting for half term so I've got a week to sort them, but I looked at my outside cues today in the greenhouse that are all looking great and fruiting already but I just can't bring myself to make them leave home just yet.....my babies!.......... :nowink: :D
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: annieanne49 on May 27, 2016, 19:58
Just shows you never know what's going to happen. Luckily I've got more seeds to sow.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Beekissed on May 28, 2016, 17:54
Corn is up!  The hot weather did its trick...all the garden is liking the warmth and humidity. 
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: mumofstig on May 28, 2016, 18:07
Thank you for sending a few days' worth of sun, Beekissed  8)

A slow start again this morning, but it is getting there.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Twitch on May 28, 2016, 18:09
Mines been out two weeks now, and doing fine  :) Unlike my runner beans  :(
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Beekissed on May 29, 2016, 15:56
I would LOVE to send you some of this heat and humidity....96* F in the shade and a person can swim through this level of humidity.  I'd like to shave a good 16* off that temp and I think the garden would still do just fine with it.   :lol:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: pigguns on May 30, 2016, 18:08
 :nowink: nah, it's gone all cold and grey again.  Even the tortoise couldn't be bothered to get up today, but I do need to get all this stuff in.... it's just not nice out there to motivate me to do it.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: mumofstig on May 30, 2016, 19:28
My corn and squash were outside, hardening off, but they're back in the greenhouse again because cold NE wind was blowing wheelie bins about earlier  ::)
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Trikidiki on May 30, 2016, 19:46
First batch of 32 planted out today.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: JayG on May 30, 2016, 19:56
Difficult balancing act - sweet corn are one of the great sulkers if it's too cold for them, but at this time of year you have to balance the weather forecasts, whether you can keep the plants healthy for much longer, and in my case whether or not you are off to Zante in mid June for a week (::))

They have to go out in the next week or so wherever you live, whatever the weather.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Nobbie on May 31, 2016, 19:53
Cool and windy here today, glad my corn's still sitting happily in the greenhouse. It should be gone for at least another week.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: BumbleJo on June 01, 2016, 00:51
Well I planted sweet corn out last Thursday.  Today was horrible, cold wet and very windy.  It looks ok though so far, however going away Saturday and have got cucumbers, courgettes and squashes to get out - looks like they'll have to be last minute Friday, forecast starts improving from then.  I'm sure I'll love Devon but this is not a great time to be going away and leaving the allotment!
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tracybutton on June 01, 2016, 22:48
It's terrible weather up here in N.Yorks. Without the wind breaks mine would have bit the dust this week ! As it is they are looking a bit fragile  :unsure:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Robster on June 01, 2016, 23:05
Haven't been up the lotty to check the sweetcorn I planted out.  But it's been so wild these last two days that it'll have suffered.  I suspect my "insurance" policy sweetcorn that are in the greenhouse will be taking their place
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: AnneB on June 02, 2016, 21:41
Mine are still in paper pots in the polytunnel.  Outside weather doesn't look too inviting, but they are hardly eager to move on either.   Hope they put a spurt on soon.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Nobbie on June 03, 2016, 10:48
Wind has relented so mine went out yesterday, 40 Sweetcorn and 40 baby corn, both sowed at the same time, but the baby corn was much more vigorous. First time with baby corn, so will be interesting to see what it's like.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: chillimummy on June 03, 2016, 17:02
Mine are getting very big in pots so hardening them off now to put out at weekend in their perspex shelter  :unsure:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: jaydig on June 03, 2016, 17:05
Mine went out a couple of weeks ago, and are starting to grow well now.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tenhens on June 04, 2016, 20:42
45 'lovelies'  of various sizes went to the plot this evening. Lovely evening , no activity about apart from a Black bird looking for it's supper.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: mjg000 on June 04, 2016, 22:40
It's been so cold this week that I've been holding fire on my sweetcorn going out but have taken the plunge today.... it's almost 2ft high but have put a wind break around it to shield it a bit this week.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: BumbleJo on June 05, 2016, 08:23
It's terrible weather up here in N.Yorks. Without the wind breaks mine would have bit the dust this week ! As it is they are looking a bit fragile  :unsure:
But now it's like being in the Med! Or so I'm told as we are now in Devon and I'm worrying about the heat now up North and the watering on the allotment though a friend is going to water for me a bit but as we have no supply on tap the water stored is getting pretty low.  Such extremes this year.  Still the strawberries should be ripening beautifully for our return...
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Yorkshire Lass on June 05, 2016, 17:21
I'm in North Yorkshire and mine have gone in today, fingers crossed they are OK.  They are the same size a a plot neighbor who popped his n the plot last week so I am hoping they are gonna be fine.  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tracybutton on July 15, 2016, 10:57
Mine are only half the size they were this time last year. Not sure the season is going to be long enough to get matured cobs now  :unsure:
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Nobbie on July 15, 2016, 13:10
Mine are only half the size they were this time last year. Not sure the season is going to be long enough to get matured cobs now  :unsure:

Were they sown outside? Mine sown in the greenhouse and planted out are looking pretty good despite the lack of sunshine.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Trikidiki on July 15, 2016, 15:30
Mine are currently chest high and the male flowers are just becoming visible down the 'tube'. Best looking plants I can remember growing. Let's just hope for some sunshine from now on so they can ripen well.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tracybutton on July 15, 2016, 15:45
Mine are only half the size they were this time last year. Not sure the season is going to be long enough to get matured cobs now  :unsure:

Were they sown outside? Mine sown in the greenhouse and planted out are looking pretty good despite the lack of sunshine.

No planted indoors and then out first week in June at about ten inches. I'm in the top end of North Yorkshire and it hasn't been great here.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Headgardener22 on July 15, 2016, 21:42
My sweetcorn plants are looking really strong but they're not flowering yet. Many things are definitely late and others have given up the ghost.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: wapello on July 15, 2016, 22:29
 Ive been lucky my sweetcorn been out for a couple of months now and about 3ft high,
 going to try and post some pics
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: wapello on July 15, 2016, 22:32
 (http://)
 LOOKS LIKED IVE MUCKED IT UP
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Yorkie on July 17, 2016, 21:43
Mine are also v small, Tracybutton  :(

You win some years, and lose others (if I say it often enough, I'll become philosophical about it  :D )
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: JayG on July 18, 2016, 09:33
The male tassels on mine are just starting to make an appearance - that's good news from the timing point of view, but although the plants look strong they are only about 2' tall, which seems a tad short for this variety (Earlibird.)

Grew the same variety last year and the first cobs weren't ready until late September :ohmy:, and many just ran out of time to fully ripen.

Those that did make it were delicious though - will just have to cross fingers and hope that the weather is more sweetcorn-friendly than last year, especially at pollination time.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: AlaninCarlisle on July 18, 2016, 09:54
I've given up on trying to get success outdoors here in the Frozen North. I grow them in the polytunnel. Mine are about 8ft high and have been flowering for a couple of weeks. No sign of any cobs yet though
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: lettice on July 18, 2016, 15:21
My sweetcorn is doing very well this year.
I've grown Golden Bantam for many years now and always does well.
All the plants are a good five to six feet tall and plenty of flowering tassles started before the weekend.
I'm sure the heatwave that started today down here is going to give them a real big surge.

Last year I kept a few back and sort of stunted them in small pots and today will be pulling up half of the broad beans, so the stunted ones will go in there. There are still about 2.5 feet tall. Worked well last year and got loads of good quality sweetcorn in September and early October.
Only did it this way as wanted to use up the full packet and as sweetcorn takes up a lot of space, thought this was the best way.
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Headgardener22 on July 18, 2016, 17:57
I noticed male flowers just beginning to come through today. :D
Title: Re: Planting out Sweetcorn yet?
Post by: Tracybutton on July 18, 2016, 18:44
Mine are also v small, Tracybutton  :(

You win some years, and lose others (if I say it often enough, I'll become philosophical about it  :D )

Well they've put another couple of inches on in the last two days, so us Yorkshire folk might make it yet. Going to be a scorcher tomorrow so I'm hoping for a foot on by Friday    :D