[scabs]

I planted my young sweet corn at the weekend  (I know, I'm late with everything!) and yesterday I found a few of them lying flat, apparently blown over by the wind.

Two questions: did I not plant them deep enough and will the 'perk' up or should I set them deeper?

Advice, as always, very much appreciated.

[peapod]

Certainly worth an earth up Scabs, thats what I would do

[scabs]

Thought so, thanks Peapod 

[canwickplot]

Problem I have with mine is moles digging underneath and disturbing the roots. They seem to be battling on though.

[Pete C]

Yep, earth them up, and stake. Be aware, that earthing up will cause water to flow away when watering.

[AndyRVTR]

Agree... I used, 3ft bamboo canes to support mine when I first put them in, they are about 2ft tall now with good thick stems, so I think the canes will be coming off this weekend. It's the first time I've ever grown sweetcorn, so I'm feeling quite proud of them at the moment 

[MoreWhisky]

Ive not staked mine , should i have? they are 30 inches tall now seem to be standing ok so far.

[peapod]

Some do and some dont MW, it depends how windy your plot gets.  Mine can be a touch windy, but I dont need to stake

[Chiswickian]

mine are doing OK but I tought they would be bigger by now. They are about one foot high. Is that ok?
Just heard MJ has died - terribly sad

[Swing Swang]

More Whiskey - have you ever seen staked sweetcorn growing commercially? I wouldn't bother staking them unless you've got a specific problem and you need to mollycoddle them. I've even heard of blown-over corn picking itself up all by itself.

My Dad's neighbour plants a lot of his seedlings on their sides because it's easier that way! But he's growing for his whole extended family on a semi-commercial scale. Lays seedlings on the ground and pulls soil over the roots - brassicas/lettuce/onions for certain, not sure what else.

Corn he just lets self seed all over the plot in a random fashion from what happens to carry over in the chicken compost!

Gives a nice 'cottage' feel to his 4(ish) acres.

Having said that I'm probably far too 'hands-on' and would have earthed them up too.

SS

[AndyRVTR]

More Whiskey - have you ever seen staked sweetcorn growing commercially?

SS

Have you ever Sweetcorn grown in batches of 10, 20 or 30 plants?... I think not... the reason they dont blow over commercially is probably because of their numbers growing side by side together, acting as a natural windbreak..

[Swing Swang]

Point taken