Growing Corn on a Homestead: Pest Management, Disease Prevention and More

Corn is both versatile and affordable, making corn a popular and useful vegetable to grow in a homestead garden.

Reader Contribution by Monica White
Updated on March 14, 2022
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by Duc Anh Nguyen on Pexels

Grown over 500 years ago, corn is one of the oldest vegetable crops known to man. It has been credited with keeping ancient civilizations alive throughout the ages. Corn still sustains many of today’s modern world cultures. From its purely natural sustainable qualities, some cultures consider corn to be sacred; preventing it from any destruction, while encouraging its wide growth and appeal. 

Corn is actually a grass, but its vegetable is used in many different commercial products. Products such as corn syrup, chicken feed grain, hominy grits and a variety of flours and grains which extend to even further uses. Corn is both versatile and affordable, making corn a popular and useful vegetable to grow in a homestead garden.

Because corn may be used as both a grain and a vegetable, it has become a staple of many recipes and diets. Think Mexican street-fair corn, tortilla chips, tacos, burritos and tamales, to name a few from popular Mexican cuisine profiles. Corn is easily recognized in regions all over the world. For example, in the U.S., Boston has its famed Boston clam and corn chowders, and the south is renowned for its grits, corn breads and seasoned cornmeal batters, which seem to magically transform almost anything into its coveted golden fried form. Picked straight from the stalk, nothing can beat the fresh, sweet taste of golden corn!

If you have had repeated success in growing corn on your homestead, then you likely have mastered those conditions which would prevent you from producing a healthy and bountiful corn crop. But for those wishing to revisit a few good pointers or for those just starting out, read on for a few good tips for successfully growing corn.

Tips for Success in Growing Corn

Corn seeds should be planted 1-2 inches deep, in a rich, well-drained soil. For best pollination, plant corn in a block formation of 2 to 3 rows that are 10 to 15 feet long and spaced 24 to 36 inches apart. To avoid cross-pollination, corn plots should contain only one type of corn. Ideally, the soil should have a neutral pH of 7. Conduct a soil test to find the pH measure of your soil. After determining your soil’s pH, adjust any soil imbalances to a neutral pH, the best for growing corn. If your soil’s pH is below 6, then it is in the acidic range and you should add limestone. If it is above 7.5, then it is in the alkaline range and you should add Sulfur. How much to add depends on the plot size and the amount of deficiency to correct. Consult your local garden center or a university co-op extension office familiar with your growing region. 

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