Corn crop grows best in well-drained, moist, fertile, workable soil. It prefers a sandy loam with a pH in the range of 5.8 to 6.8. Even if you have heavy clayey soil in your garden, with the right amendments and techniques, you can prepare the perfect home for your corn plants.
What type of soil does corn grow in?
loam soils
The basics Corn grows best in loam soils. For good germination of seeds, the soil needs to be 60°F or above. Corn is a heavy feeder, especially of nitrogen (fertilizer).
What grows well in clay ground?
Lettuce, chard, green beans beans and other crops with shallow roots benefit from clay soil’s ability to retain moisture, and broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage often grow better in clay soil than looser loams because their roots enjoy firm anchorage.
Do tomatoes grow well in clay soil?
Tomatoes can be grown successfully in clay soil. But clay has two characteristics working against it to produce healthy tomato plants: Compaction. Clay tends to hold water.
What kind of soil do you need to grow corn?
Corn does best with warm, sunny growing weather (75–86° F), well-distributed intermittent moderate rains, or irrigation (15 or more inches during the growing season), and 130 or more frost-free days. The U.S. corn belt has these soil and climatic conditions.
What to put on corn to make it grow?
If the pH is too high, you can apply aluminum sulfate for immediate results and sulfur for a more lasting change. Avoid applying these nutrients while the corn is in the ground as some of them can burn the leaves. Corn requires a constant water supply to produce a good crop, although you don’t want the soil to remain soaked.
What foods can you grow in clay soil?
Lettuce, chard, snap beans and other crops with shallow roots benefit from clay soil’s ability to retain moisture, and broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage often grow better in clay soil than looser loams because their roots enjoy firm anchorage. Mid and late season sweet corn are a good choice, too,…
What kind of fertilizer to use for sweet corn?
With nutrient-deficient soil, an application of 1 to 2 pounds of a 16-16-8 or 12-12-12 fertilizer per 100 square feet will help increase the available nitrogen in the soil. If you can, work it in a few months before planting. Sweet corn enjoys slightly acidic to neutral soil, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 6.5.
