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How long does it take for corn to mature


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Once Corn Is Planted, How Long Will It Take To Come Up?

Some of the earliest planted corn in Iowa this spring is now starting to slowly emerge.

Corn typically requires 90 to 120 Growing Degree Days or GDDs from planting to emergence. Of course this range assumes adequate soil moisture and varies with planting depth, tillage system and crop residue cover. "As a rule of thumb, if 120 GDDs have accumulated since planting and seedlings haven't emerged, you should check the condition of planted seed ASAP," advises Clarke McGrath, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist at Harlan in western Iowa.

WATCH CAREFULLY: Keep an eye on emerging corn seedlings, and also check the corn you've planted that hasn't yet emerged. "It will be curious to see how stands turn out this spring, given our cold snaps," says ISU agronomist Clarke McGrath.

Some of the early planted corn this year, the corn that went in April 4 to 12 or so, is now spiking. It has had enough GDD's despite the cold temperatures, says McGrath, who authors the "Corn-Soybean Insight" column for ISU Extension each month in Wallaces Farmer magazine.

Another rule of thumb is corn in 50-degree F soils takes about 20 days to emerge, and this year that has held pretty true. "As soil temperatures get to around 60 degrees F, corn comes up in about 10 days, which is hopefully where the corn we plant in the next week or so will end up," he notes.

Track growing degree day accumulations for your fields
You can track GDD accumulations for the Corn Belt location of your choice by clicking on 'single site graphs' on ISU's Mesonet website. Your specific planting date information is easily selected from the drop-down windows. Choose the weather station near your farm from the list or select by clicking the "dot on the map" near your farm. Track the GDD accumulation at your location (a blue line is produced) and compare it to the normal GDD accumulation for your location (a red line is displayed). "It's helpful to also make a graph of last year to give you an idea of average GDD accumulation to help visualize the similarities and differences between this year and last year," he adds.

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You need to remember that GDD's are calculated based on air temperatures using the 86/50 method typical for corn production. Using that method, if air temperatures remain at or below 50 F, emergence will not occur. "We hope this isn't a continuing issue now that we are in early May," says McGrath.

Soil temperature may be the better predictor of emergence
Since GDD calculations are based on air temperatures, four-inch soil temperatures may actually do a better job of predicting seedling emergence than accumulated GDD's. The Mesonet provides a daily update of both the Iowa soil temperature and GDD. Lab studies have shown that for most corn hybrids grown in the Midwest, seedling emergence takes about three weeks if the soil temperature is 51 F and it takes about one week if the daily soil temperature holds near 70 F.

"Cold and wet soils like we currently have will slow down germination and emergence once corn is in the ground," McGrath noted on May 2. "These conditions can also give soil microbes that attack seedlings the advantage—so exercise patience and watch the weather forecast when getting ready to plant."

What about corn that's already in the cold ground?
"So far, I am optimistic," he says. "What I've dug up has looked pretty healthy, and the weather is improving. I remember there was a lot of excitement a year ago when we had a lot of corn in the ground when our May 1 blizzard came through. There were some cold days after that, but then it warmed up and the corn came out of that situation quite well in the end. I suspect unless things really get cold again for an extended period of time, we will have good stands this spring."

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McGrath describes some things farmers, agronomists and crop consultants have seen in prior years in similar weather conditions to what we've had this spring:

Imbibitional chilling—This is a common term for the chilling effect seeds may go through when they absorb water, especially when soil temperatures are less than the mid-50's for an extended time. "The last few days of April and the first two days of May this spring, soil temperatures have been from the mid-40's to low 50's at the 4-inch depth in our area, and I'd guess we'll gain ground on that over the next week based on the weather forecast," he says. "Keep in mind that with seed around 2-inches deep, temperatures can fluctuate a little more than at the 4-inch depth, so with some sun, soil temperatures often bounce back up this time of year."

On the other hand, it takes more BTU's of energy to raise the temperature of saturated soils vs. dry soils, slowing any warming. "So given the cold rains we've had this past week, we'll likely spend another 4 or 5 days with our planted corn suffering soil temperatures around 50-degrees or so," McGrath observed on May 2. Corn seed absorbs around a third of its weight in water early in the germination process. If this water is cold enough (exact temperatures vary by source, but upper 40's to low 50's are often mentioned), cell walls can become "brittle" and even rupture.

"When this happens, we've seen all sorts of impacts," he adds. "Seed that just swells and never continues growth, sometimes corkscrewed seedlings, ruptured coleoptiles, leafing out underground, seedling death and other interesting but not good phenomenon. The good news is that often this impacts a relatively small percentage of a field; only occasionally do we see enough problems to warrant any action. So far I haven't seen or heard of too much of this occurring this spring."

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Wide temperature swings— "We sometimes see 'corkscrewed' seedlings in conditions like we have now," says McGrath. "But more often we see these in drier soils and with wide temperature swings." Recall the discussion about water, soil and BTU's earlier in this article. Former ISU Extension agronomist Roger Elmore provided some research information that talked about soil temperature swings of around 27-degrees F or more being a primary culprit in causing this.

"Again, typically it is a small percentage of a field and growers may not even notice the corkscrewed seedlings in most years," adds McGrath. "Given our wet soils this spring, corn planted on the early-April planting dates is more likely to suffer the imbibitional chilling than the temperature swing 'corkscrewing'— but things can change quickly. I say once again, however, my early scouting of cornfields this spring hasn't shown many problems so far."

Insect injury—The longer a seed or seedling is small and growing slowly, the greater the odds of a pest finding it and attacking it.

Diseases—Cold, wet soils slow corn growth and leave it exposed to disease pathogens for a longer time. Some pathogens thrive in these conditions (pythium comes to mind) so while the corn struggles, pathogens have a better shot at infecting the corn plants.

Herbicide injury—This can also be more of an issue when seedlings are under a lot of stress and are growing slowly. "Experience tells me that usually plants grow through this with little, if any long term impact," says McGrath. "Also, while we sometimes point the finger to herbicide injury when we see slow or uneven corn emergence, the real culprit is simply poor conditions. "

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He adds, "As a fertilizer/chemical dealer in my earlier career, I diagnosed tough-looking fields as having herbicide injury. In subsequent years as we moved away from using pre-emerge residual herbicides and moved to using total post programs, we'd see the same symptoms in the absence of any soil-applied herbicides. Lesson learned. While early season herbicide injury to seedlings does happen, it probably isn't as common as we think. Conditions like these do increase the odds of issues, though, so careful investigation is warranted for any field that exhibits problems that may appear to be herbicide related."

Today's corn hybrids are durable, can take a lot of stress
The good news: Today's corn hybrids are incredibly durable and can take a lot of stress based on the improved genetics alone. Advanced fungicide and insecticide seed treatments that seed companies offer will increase the odds of getting a healthy stand. "While these seed treatments have a limited window of protection, looking at the growing degree trends for early May—odds are we'll see the corn take off quickly, helping it fight any early season insects and diseases," says McGrath.

"The bottom line is, there are no guarantees that the earliest planted corn will be a perfect stand. But experience and the calendar tells us that if weather conditions improve this coming week, the odds are in our favor," he sums up. "The best thing farmers and crop consultants can do is keep an eye on the planted acres and monitor seedling development, and be sure to take some emergence and stand counts."

TAGS: USDA Extension

Irrigation of corn. How to grow a record corn crop at minimal cost?

Irrigation & Irrigation

Corn Irrigation

How to grow a record corn crop at the lowest cost?

Corn. A brief digression

Even according to the most conservative estimates, to accommodate a crop of corn grown in a year in Ukraine, a train of 3,700 kilometers or 43 Olimpiysky stadiums will be needed.


Every year about 4 million hectares are sown with corn in Ukraine, which produce from 20 million tons of grain, while the average yield of corn on rainfed farming is 5 tons per hectare, on artificial irrigation - from 8 tons and more. It is worth considering that a high yield of corn is obtained with an optimal combination of factors: irrigation, soil fertility, light and heat. This article is primarily about irrigation, how to get the maximum yield of corn at the lowest cost using this ancient method.

Corn is a heat-loving, short-day plant that loves light. The temperature of germination of corn seeds is 10-12°C, the optimum temperature is 22-24°C. Blooms faster at 8-10 hour day, if the day is more than 12-14 hours, then the growing season is lengthened. So the growing season of hybrids and varieties of corn cultivated in Ukraine is 90-140 days.

Maize seeds need about 45% water by grain weight to germinate. With this amount of moisture, seedlings appear already 5-6 days after sowing.

For further rapid growth, corn seeds require good aeration, that is, a fairly abundant amount of oxygen. Corn does not like acidic soils, it is very responsive to increasing soil fertility. The highest yield is obtained mainly on light, loose, well-drained, loamy soils with rich organic matter, nutrients and a neutral reaction of the soil solution.

Good maize yields are achieved if the soil air contains at least 18% oxygen. At 10%, root growth will be slower, and at 5%, it will stop, the process of water absorption from the soil, the metabolism in the roots and aboveground parts of plants will be greatly disrupted.


Being a high-yielding crop, corn is very demanding on mineral nutrition: for a ton of corn grain, 20-25 kg of nitrogen, 6-10 kg of calcium, 10-15 kg of phosphorus, 30-40 kg of potassium, 6-10 kg of magnesium are needed.



However, each corn variety and hybrid has its own unique methods and combinations. Usually, the competent use of fertilizers contributes to an increase in grain yield from 10 to 40 centners per hectare, depending on soil and climatic conditions, soil type and the amount of nutrients in it. To do this, an agrochemical analysis is carried out, the volume of fertilizers is determined, their distribution by vegetation phases.

It is worth noting that corn seedlings are sensitive to early spring frosts, and high air temperatures can also affect corn yields, in case of low humidity during the flowering period of the plant. At a temperature of 32-35°C and air humidity below 30%, the plant may lose its ability to fertilize. Female inflorescences of corn begin to bloom 4-5 days later than male ones, but during drought this period can increase even more. Drought can result in incomplete pollination of corn on the cob, which can contribute to complete seed loss. To obtain a full crop of corn, the ideal temperature should be in the range of 21-30°C. Heat is needed more for corn during its flowering and grain formation phases.

Corn is excellent for irrigation, its use will improve the development of the root system and the productivity of photosynthesis. Irrigation increases the intensity of respiration and transpiration, the moisture saturation of plant tissues, and the consumption of microelements.

Corn consumes moisture a little more economically than bread of the first group, in 24 hours one plant is able to absorb 2-4 liters of water. But despite the "greed", corn does not tolerate waterlogging. Therefore, it is necessary to strictly monitor soil moisture. The optimal value at which the maximum productivity of corn is formed is 70-80% HB.

The key moisture period is 10 to 30 days before heading and about 20 days after tassels drop, during which time corn consumes 40-45% of the water needed during the growing season. If during this period the soil and air drought lasts 2-3 days, then the yield may decrease by 20%, if a week by - 50%. The yield also depends on the distribution of moisture relative to the development phases of corn. For example: to get the planned yield of 11.5 t / ha, you need 570 mm of productive moisture.


To form 1 ton of grain yield, corn uses about 50 mm of productive moisture, that is, about 20 kg of grain is formed from 1 mm.

Corn, like many other crops, has key periods of development, which are critical phases (CP). They need to pay special attention. The first 2 phases are the laying of the yield potential, the next 2 are the phases on which the implementation of the genetic potential depends.

Maize irrigation phases

In the 3-4 leaf phase, the first tier of nodal roots is formed in corn, in the 5-6 leaf phase - the second, in the 7-8 leaf phase - the third, etc. With the appearance of each pair of new leaves a tier of nodal roots is formed. Nodal roots reach a depth of 3-4 meters and spread to the sides up to 120-150 cm. Aerial roots form from the lower aerial nodes, which play the role of a support and contribute to additional nutrition.


KF1 - the period of laying the number of rows of grains at the beginning
During this period the plant is very sensitive to stresses (moisture, temperature, chemicals). In the phase of 5-6 leaflets we do not recommend the use of herbicides. With temperature fluctuations, it is necessary to provide for the normal nutrition of corn plants with phosphorus.

KF2 - the period of laying the amount of grain in the row
This period begins 6-10 days before the panicle is thrown out. At this time, it is also desirable to avoid exposure of the culture to stress factors such as the application of organophosphate insecticides. It is also necessary to provide for sufficient nutrition of the culture with all the necessary elements, since it is during this period that the peak of assimilation is observed.

KF3 - flowering
By this time, the genetic potential of yield has already been formed: the maximum number of rows and grains. A few days after the panicle is thrown out, stigmas appear on the plant and it is ready for pollination. If high temperatures are observed during this time, the pollen may be sterilized. The duration of such a period of more than a week can cause significant yield losses in the form of grains.

One of the ways to solve the problem is to use several hybrids of different ripeness groups for sowing, which allows diversifying the possible risks of exposure to high temperatures during flowering. The selection of hybrids with increased resistance to drought also works well. An available method of avoiding stress during flowering is to use hybrids with a short period between tassels and stigmas.




KF4 - grain filling
This period is characterized by the fact that the plant needs a significant amount of moisture and nutrients. With their lack, the grains on the fork are not saturated. To prevent or minimize this phenomenon, it is necessary to ensure a balanced nutrition of the plant with all the necessary elements and especially moisture.
Often, during this period, there is an acute shortage of moisture against the background of high temperatures. Recent years are characterized by insufficient rainfall, as well as their unevenness during the growing season. This leads to the fact that moisture becomes a limiting factor in the formation of the crop.
The best solution in this situation is artificial irrigation. Long-term experience of farmers shows that corn responds better than most crops to improving the water regime of the soil. Due to this, the cultivation of corn on irrigated lands is an important source of increasing the yield and strengthening the fodder base for livestock.

According to research institutions: during the growing season of corn, the moisture content of the active soil layer should be maintained by irrigation on light soils not lower than 60-65% HB, on medium soils 70-75% HB and 80% HB - on soils heavy in granulometric composition . In corn crops, soil moisture is determined by a tensiometer.

As a rule, the total water consumption of corn depends on irrigation regimes and varies from 3250 to 4762 m3/ha. To obtain a high yield of corn, it is recommended to conduct vegetation irrigation in a special way, namely, when soil moisture decreases in the first half of the growing season to 70%, then, to milky-wax ripeness, increase to 80%, and then reduce to 70%. It is especially important to maintain the irrigation regime during the critical period of crop development, which begins 10 days before the panicle is thrown out and ends with the milk grain phase. During the growing season, corn needs a small amount of water, but its lack adversely affects growth processes, moreover, waterlogging and untimely watering can lead to a sharp decrease in yield.

The table below shows the optimal moisture threshold for the active layer of different soil types, % of HB.

So, we can conclude that the quality and quantity of the corn crop primarily depends on weather conditions, to a greater extent on humidity relative to the development phases of corn.

What farmers say about irrigating corn

As the weather in Ukraine and around the world becomes drier, most farmers are seriously considering or are already implementing artificial irrigation systems. Typically, wide coverage sprinklers are used to irrigate large areas of corn, drip irrigation is much less common.

An example is the French company Maisadour Semences, one of the world leaders in the production of corn seeds, which leases land and grows corn, including in Ukraine. The main production region of the company is located in the south-west of France. This region receives between 900 and 1150 millimeters of precipitation annually, most of which falls in November-March. This is followed by a long dry period until late autumn, which is occasionally interrupted by storm rains.

The overwhelming majority of soils there are clayey or sandy, 5-8 dry days are enough for the complete cessation of corn vegetation. Therefore, absolutely every field is irrigated by sprinkling. Water is extracted mainly from 15-30-meter wells near the field. In addition, France has a rather strict annual limit on water consumption for irrigation. Depending on the year, the limit ranges from 1500-3500 m3 per hectare. But even despite all the difficulties and restrictions, French farmers are well aware that if there is no irrigation, it will lead to poor quality, or the absence of a crop, so they invest in irrigation systems.


Ukraine has a slightly different situation with access to water, the attitude of the authorities and the irrigation limit. Compared to France and many other countries, there are all favorable conditions for irrigation. Everything depends only on the desire and financial capabilities of agricultural enterprises. Here is what Volodymyr Vasiliev, development representative of the French company "Monsato" in the southern regions of Ukraine, says: Try not to sow corn seeds deeper than 5.5 cm. This way you reduce the possibility of an early start.

- Vladimir Vasiliev

"Usually, in rainfed farming, sowing is deepened because they are afraid of losing moisture, but if there is a possibility of artificial irrigation, then there is nothing to fear. If you provide irrigation by 15-20 mm, then you will achieve comfortable conditions for obtaining similar development of maize plants.This will also allow you to close up the soil herbicide applied immediately after sowing, or provoke the germination of the first wave of weeds, if work with post-emergence herbicides is planned.0122

Volodymyr Vasiliev

development representative of the French company "Monsato" in the southern regions of Ukraine

Then you regulate everything yourself, in accordance with the soil moisture and the level of natural precipitation, the main thing is not to wait for the plant to cry out to you: " Give me water!" At the same time, observe soil moisture, so as not to spoil the plant and help lower its root system down.

The most important thing is to create the most comfortable conditions for an early-friendly start with the help of artificial irrigation. And then there will be no lagging plants left on the field, which are not considered except as a weed. This approach makes it possible to guarantee full-fledged cobs on each plant. Keep in mind – The depth from which seedling growth begins also indicates the depth at which the primary growth of the main root system begins. This depth (2.5-3.8 cm) – is relatively constant at different sowing depths due to the pulling up of the hypocotyl genus and the longer the stretching (the deeper the sowing), the weaker the young plant will be.

In 2015, while studying various irrigation regimes, we conducted an experiment according to three criteria: 50% and 100% of the irrigation rate and no irrigation at all. According to the data obtained, they came to the conclusion – after 100 c/ha, the most determining factor in yield is the mineral nutrition of plants, primarily such elements as magnesium, zinc, potassium.

For example, magnesium ensures full grain size of corn cobs, it needs only 5 kg per hectare, it also helps the production of chlorophyll, and is even more efficient than phosphorus, since plants absorb it 12-14 times faster. As far as zinc is concerned, it is an excellent heat-tolerant agent, generally used in foliar applications.

Especially in irrigation, it is important to use fractional application of nitrogen fertilizers. Nitrogen is washed out faster into the lower layers of the soil with irrigation. Every 10 mm of precipitation is a flush of nitrogen 3 cm deep, and we water 400 m3 or 40 mm. It is a pity that not all farmers who have mastered this topic are in a hurry to share such experience. Mikhail Bernatsky, owner of agricultural company LLC "Rost Agro" (Poltava region):

"I am the owner of 10 American wide-sprinkler sprinklers, 4 circles - and 6 frontal ones. We water about 1000 hectares of hybridization of corn and soybeans. We use water from the Kremenchug reservoir: the diesel pumping station of the first lift supplies water to the canals that run along the road, while the second lift stations supply water from them to the fields. We also managed to organize the irrigation of 150 hectares from the reservoir: we installed a pumping station, we laid a pipeline.For example, in Iowa, which is known throughout the world for its rich harvests, about 1000 mm of precipitation falls per season.We have a maximum of 350 mm and we add another 300 mm with artificial irrigation, that is, up to 1000 mm we need to water at least 2 times more ...

“

Maize is usually watered 10 times per season, 30 mm each time. But this is quite a bit.

— Mikhail Bernatsky

For example, in Iowa, which is known throughout the world for its rich harvests, about 1000 mm of precipitation falls per season. We have a maximum of 350 mm and we add another 300 mm with artificial irrigation, that is, up to 1000 mm we need to water at least 2 times more… we saved.

“

The wide coverage machine will water once a week for six days, but watering corn once a week is more than normal.

— Mikhail Bernatsky

We do not combine fertilization and irrigation, there was an experiment to combine with UAN application, but we refused. The main thing that irrigation – can provide is a 100% guaranteed yield of the best quality. For example, in 2017, without irrigation, the soybean yield was 30 c/ha, with irrigation – 45 q/ha. There is nothing to compare corn with, - we have it all seed and all irrigated. Naturally, the cost of watering pays off. If it was at a loss, I would never do it. for most regions of Ukraine It is recommended to adapt the technology of tillage for corn in the direction of maximum moisture saving and moisture accumulation, which as a result will allow you to get a more stable crop, and also insure against the risks of crop loss during abnormal heat and drought.0007

The NRG GROUP team helps to choose irrigation systems for medium and large agricultural areas for any needs and budget. It also provides a full range of services in this area: launch, operation, repair, assistance to personnel in any matters. We are the official representative of the Italian brand Visa S.p.A and the Spanish company Chamsa. This is a premium segment sprinkling equipment with a 30-year service life, 100% Italian assembly line, 100% defect-free, 100% guarantee of the best European quality.

For a free consultation with NRG GROUP experts, call - 044 225 25 20 or leave a request on the website, we will contact you shortly.

See also:

"Drip irrigation vs sprinkling, which is better? All the pros and cons"

"Potato irrigation. How to grow a record potato crop with minimal investment?"

When does corn ripen in the fields and how to determine?

People call corn “the queen of fields” for a reason. It is tasty, healthy and unique vegetable. To grow a good crop of corn, you need to know when corn ripens and how to harvest it correctly.

Contents

  • Distinctive features of corn and interesting facts
  • How to know that corn is ripe
  • Harvesting in the fields and gardens
  • Harvesting corn in the summer cottage
  • Harvesting in different regions of Russia and
    • Distinctive features of corn interesting facts

    Mexicans were the first to grow corn at home. A little later, Europeans, and then Russians, got acquainted with this culture. To this day, in Mexico, this vegetable is a favorite and is absorbed by the local population on a large scale.

    Corn is famous for its B vitamins, as well as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium and iodine. The most useful vegetable is considered to be ripe. This is the main reason why it is worth knowing how to determine the ripening time of the crop.

    In order to grow corn, conditions must be taken into account, especially the weather. Since it is a heat-loving vegetable, seed germination occurs at a soil temperature of about +10°C. The vegetative mass of the culture grows at an average daily temperature of +10°C.

    Plant development phases:

    • seedlings;
    • fifth sheet;
    • seventh-eighth sheet;
    • basting;
    • flowering;
    • cob blossom;
    • grain filling;
    • full ripeness.
    Fully ripe corn

    Seedlings occur 7-15 days after sowing. Germination time is affected by air temperature and humidity.

    The intensive growth phase of corn begins as soon as the eighth leaf appears.

    The heading phase can be recognized by the length of the panicle (15-20 mm) protruding from the bell of the upper leaves.

    The panicle flowering phase lasts from 5 days to a week, and the cob flowering is characterized by the appearance of a stigma in the form of silky threads.

    5 days after the flowering of the panicles, the cob flowering phase begins. Under hot and dry weather conditions, the culture of the female and male can ripen with a difference of about 10 days.

    During the filling of the grain, it accumulates reserve substances. This phase includes three stages of ripeness:

    • dairy;
    • wax;
    • biological.

    At the milky stage of maturity, the leaves of the cob are green and difficult to separate. If you press on a grain of corn, a white liquid will come out of it. Grains at this stage of ripeness are distinguished by a sweet aftertaste and juiciness, have a pale yellow color.

    During waxy ripeness, corn kernels become bright yellow in color and have a waxy consistency. When pressing on the grain, no white liquid is released from it. During this period, the leaves of the cob dry out and turn yellow.

    During the period of biological ripeness of corn, the leaves completely dry out, which look like parchment. The hairy part is brown, and the grains are harder and denser. Instead of juice, starch is formed inside the corn.

    How to know when corn is ripe

    Determining when corn is ripe depends on the variety of corn, the region in which it is grown and when it was planted.

    Maturation of early-ripening corn varieties occurs no earlier than 75 days after germination. How to understand that corn is ripe if it is a mid-season variety? As soon as sprouts appear, count 90-100 days.

    Mature corn

    To determine whether late-ripening corn is ripe, it is necessary to count at least 110 days after germination.

    Harvesting in the fields and vegetable gardens

    Early-ripening corn is most often planted in the dacha for food purposes. In what month such corn ripens is not difficult to determine. It usually ripens by the end of July.

    When the crop is sown in the fields in large quantities and for industrial purposes, it is often harvested at the milky-wax stage of ripeness. Usually corn in this case goes to silage. At this stage of maturation, the culture contains the maximum amount of sugars. If you ask farmers what month to harvest cobs for silage, they will confidently indicate the period from August to October.

    To know for sure if the corn is ripe, it is necessary to monitor the appearance of the top ears on the stalk, which ripen first.

    Many people are interested in the question of how to understand that corn is ripe if the crop is planned to be harvested for the purpose of further drying the grains. In this case, you need to wait until the stems and leaves are completely dry.

    Harvesting of mature cobs for the purpose of harvesting planting material is carried out at the biological stage of ripeness.

    Interestingly, under the right conditions for drying and storing corn kernels, they are suitable for planting for 10 years.

    You can often find corn for popcorn in home gardens. It is worth mentioning that this is a separate variety that is grown for only one purpose - for the further preparation of popcorn. She takes quite a long time. Harvesting of corn is carried out at the peak of maturity, when the cob, stem and leaves turn brown.

    Harvesting corn at their dacha

    Lately, people often grow corn at their dacha. Those who have been doing this for a long time use the technique of planting several varieties at once. Thanks to this, as soon as the harvest of one variety of corn is over, it is time for another.

    Garden vegetable growers use simple tips to know when to harvest:

    • pistillate threads darken but not dry;
    • appearance of an edge on the outer layers of foliage;
    • kernels at the top of the cob without wrinkles or dents;
    • when pressed, a milky liquid is released.
    Picking corn at their summer cottage

    Someone prefers to eat raw corn. For this, cobs of milky ripeness are perfect. The first collection of cobs is best done at the top. They sleep first.

    Fresh milk corn is best eaten within 24 hours of harvest. It is during this period that it is sweet, tender and tasty.

    Milky corn has a round tip and a pale yellow color. It is very easy to separate the cob from the stem at this stage, you just need to rotate it around its axis with your hand.

    Harvesting in different regions of Russia

    In different parts of Russia the weather can be very different, which means that corn ripens differently.

    Which month to harvest depends on the climate and destination.

    Speaking about the regions of the middle zone of the country, here the sowing of corn falls on May. The vegetable ripens by August, and the ripe cobs are harvested until October.

    In the Krasnodar Territory, corn is planted quite early, but the harvest lasts almost until the middle of autumn.

    Learn more