[damo]

1st attempt on these this year. The packet states plant out from seed in May, do these need netting to cover them, and advice on best results ?

[bigben]

I grew then for the first time last year and started them in paper pots on the windowsill to make sure they germinated ok. Got 100% to come up. I then used a bulb planter to dig holes to drop them in. I planted them out in April and the whole lot got destroyed by the wind and harsh weather!

Luckily I already had backups planted (I recommend doing this). I planted these a couple of weeks later and got a couple of cobs of every on. Remember to plant in blocks so they pollinate each other. I did not cover but did have 2 or 3 cob ends that looked like something (rats?) had tried to eat them. I am growing the same again this year and will plant out a bit later and plant a lot more -the kids loved them!

[DD.]

Try this:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=34827.0

Then pot them up.

I wouldn't plant out before June, personally.

[shutterbug]

I grew mini sweetcorn last year for the first time. Great crop but the area stunk of an ammonia-like smell for ages once the plants got past a foot high. I planted them far too close to the patio for comfort! I can't even blame the cat as she wouldn't go near them either.

Going to try the proper sweetcorn this time around. And plant them down the bottom end of the garden.

[JayG]

I don't bother chitting as I have always had excellent germination using fresh seed.

I sow indoors in paper pots about 3-4 weeks before I aim to plant them out which shouldn't be too early as sweetcorn is a big "sulker" if it's too cold and dull for them.

As to when it depends to some extent where you live but I agree with DD that early June is probably soon enough. (If you put your location in your profile we would know approximately where you live Damo!)

Hungry plants, no need to cover but if your site is windy they might need some support (I put a cane at each corner of the block and tie string round and diagonally through them).

For me absolutey the best veg to grow when compared to the shop-bought version!

[shutterbug]

And stagger the planting. I mean, don't put them in neat rows. They wind pollinate as far as I know so they need to sway about a bit.

[DD.]

The second poster correctly said to plant them in blocks.

[diggerjoe]

I always plant the potted up sweetcorn through weed membrane as well as it keeps the weeds down and I always get a good crop - still plenty on our freezer.

[Torreya]

Thank you all! I have just been given 2 packs of sweetcorn and was going to ask the same thing, now I know what to do with them!
Anyone any ideas what the Ammonia smell is from?? More to the point, is there any way of camouflaging it, other than Tagetes-which to me smell even worse!!

[JayG]

Strange smells from sweetcorn?

That's a new one on me (but have only grown the full-sized stuff and ammonia beginner!! )

[mumofstig]

Ooourgh....Jay! that's a corny one

[MoreWhisky]

I chitted my sweetcorn then put them in root trainers, when i put them n the ground covered with empty pop bottles for few days and feed them with comfry tea every tuesday and away they went. Had amazing success.

[damo]

thanks all

[Goosegirl]

You will never buy another sweetcorn cob once you have grown them yourself. I promise you - you will grow more of them next year as they cannot compare in taste and texture. Feed and mulch them well and get the pan going...!

[andy135]

Strange smells from sweetcorn?

That's a new one on me (but have only grown the full-sized stuff and ammonia beginner!! )

Thanks for that. I now have coffee all over my keyboard...............!