Kids’ Valley Garden

Corn

  • Kandy Korn is a variety of corn that has an attractive plant with extra tender ears that mature in 90 days.
  • The soil needs to be warm, so don't plant too early.
  • It prefers rich soil just below neutral in acidity with high moisture-holding capacity but well drained.
  • Plant the seeds in blocks, not long rows, because they are cross-pollinated by the wind.
  • Plant the seeds 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep and 6 inches (15 cm) apart, or farther apart if your soil is average.
  • CAUTION: Most corn seeds are treated with a pink fungicide, so wash your hands well right after planting.
  • Apply mulch when the plants reach 8 inches (20 cm) high and keep them well watered and fertilized.
  • When silk appears, apply a few drops of mineral oil to the silk to prevent worms in the corn ears.
  • Corn is ready to harvest once the silk is brown and dry.
  • Raccoons love corn. If they bother your garden, ask your parents to set up a spotlight or motion detector in the corn patch to scare them away.
  • If they persist, ask your parents to wrap an old radio in plastic and turn it on each night when your corn is just about ripe. Don't have it loud enough to bother your neighbors, though.

Fascinating Facts!

  1. Corn is a type of grain that grows tall and has long leaves. It can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall!
  2. Corn has been an important food for people for thousands of years. Native Americans were the first to grow and eat corn, and today it's still a major food crop around the world.
  3. Corn is used to make lots of different things, from popcorn to tortilla chips to corn syrup.
  4. Corn is also used in non-food products, like ethanol fuel and biodegradable plastics.
  5. Corn comes in lots of different colors, like yellow, white, red, and even black!
  6. There are lots of different varieties of corn, and some are better for different things. For example, some corn is better for making popcorn, while other types are better for making cornmeal or corn flakes.
  7. Corn is grown in many countries around the world, but the United States produces the most corn. In fact, the state of Iowa produces more corn than most countries in the world!

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