[Diddy Gardener]

Right, on the recommendation of some people on the site I have ordered some 'swift' sweetcorn seeds (I'm in Scotland).

Now, I have a couple of large, round raised beds (the top halves of 2 dead water butts)... what do you think about planting them in these - I might get 4-6 in each one. Or would they be better in my veggy plot in the garden?

Any opinions, as always, most appreciated! 

[DD.]

I think they'd be better off in the plot.

The more you can get together, the more sure pollination will be. They won't need as much watering, and they will be more securely rooted should it get a bit windy. (Easier to stake as well if it gets that bad).

[GrannieAnnie]

I don't know about growing anything in Scotland, but sweetcorn need about 18 inches between each plant, so how big are your half butts?

Mind you, looking at the sweetcorn patio kit on thompson and Morgan's website, they planted 10 sweetcorn in 2 plastic bags!  

LINK

[Diddy Gardener]

Gotta love Thomson and Morgan! Thanks guys... in the veggie plot it is!!! 

[JayG]

Swift is a good choice for the UK, but apart from some luck with the weather they also need all the sun they can get, good rich soil (or plenty of feeding), plenty of water (especially when the cobs are swelling), and of course need to be grown in blocks rather than rows for pollination purposes.

As for your half barrels, if they were next to each other that would probably be the equivalent of a block - I usually push the spacing to about 14" apart, but I wouldn't recommend pushing it further than that.

If your site is windy you might need to support them (I use a single string round and through the block at about 2' high rather than trying to stake each individual plant, and the closer spacing helps them support each other.)

[gobs]

If you can find room, what DD says, twice. And as many, as you can find room for.

Saying that, I have seen people growing them in pots successfully, however, you will need to start messing with pollination.

Officially 9-12 inches should be enough, with 3 times that between rows. I tend to go about a good feet each way in a nice square fashion.

[gobs]

I read that Grannie. Only can see four plants though.

[GrannieAnnie]

Well it was a kit Gobs, with 10 plants, so I assumed there were 10 plants in the 2 bags! I'll go count them in a bit! 

[gobs]

Well it was a kit Gobs, with 10 plants, so I assumed there were 10 plants in the 2 bags! I'll go count them in a bit! 

That would make sense for 2 bags, plus 2 spares.

[allotment south wales]

sweetcorn are planted in blocks so the wind  polinates them.

A sunny site but protected from the winds..
a neighbour on the allotment plants his in a block along side his compost bin
and plants as many he can get in as possible all the nutriants leaking from the compost and manure feeds his sweetcorn very prolific crop...

also i should of said  .....   you should not plant near any other types of sweetcorn crop
as mentioned below .....

[DD.]

sweetcorn are planted in blocks so the wind cross polinates them.

To be very pedantic, it just pollinates them.

You don't want cross pollination with sweetcorn, as crossing with another variety can lead to inferior taste.

[sunshineband]

sweetcorn are planted in blocks so the wind cross polinates them.

To be very pedantic, it just pollinates them.

You don't want cross pollination with sweetcorn, as crossing with another variety can lead to inferior taste.

As I found to my cost two summers ago 

[ulsterfairy]

Mine grew pretty well last year until some eariwig discovered them!! I grew them in blocks, but before I put them in the soil I dug a trench to suit the number of plants then covered the young seedlings with Plastic which I cut to allow growth through as they matured.  They like the roots kept warm I believe!!  It helped they were beside a south facing wall as well I think!!  They needed a bit extra watering and I would lift a bit of the plastic to weed - I will be trying this again this but it will be elswhere on the plot as I intend to grow soft fruits along the wall.

[Yorkie]

If you do use plastic, you will need to take extra care to ensure that the plants are not deprived of water, which the plastic will prevent from soaking into the soil.

As well as being very hungry plants, they are very thirsty too.

[allotment south wales]

sweetcorn are planted in blocks so the wind cross polinates them.

To be very pedantic, it just pollinates them.  re- ameneded  I should of read my post out before LISTING MY ADVICE..

You don't want cross pollination with sweetcorn, as crossing with another variety can lead to inferior taste.