Now’s the time to sow one popular summer vegetable, get it in the ground this May and you’ll be harvesting sweet, golden cobs of homegrown sweetcorn come June
With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, green-fingered Brits are being encouraged to sow one iconic summer crop before time runs out. If you want to enjoy your own sweetcorn harvest in June, now is the moment to act.
Sweetcorn is a much-loved vegetable, especially when it’s fresh, juicy, and straight from the garden. But to get the best from it, sowing needs to happen in May, giving plants a head start before they go into the ground next month.
The key is to start your sweetcorn in deep pots rather than planting straight into the soil. This gives the young roots plenty of room to grow and ensures the plants are strong and healthy when it’s time to transplant.
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Sweetcorn has a relatively long growing season and doesn’t always respond well to a cold or wet start. By sowing now and raising the plants indoors or in a greenhouse, you’ll be protecting them during their most delicate stage.
Ideally, you’ll want to use a quality compost and place one or two seeds in each pot. Choose pots that are deep enough to allow for decent root development, sweetcorn hates having its roots disturbed.
Keep your pots somewhere warm and bright, such as a windowsill or greenhouse. You should start to see shoots emerging within 7 to 10 days, depending on temperature.
Once the risk of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up, typically early June, you can harden off the plants. That means gradually introducing them to outdoor conditions before planting them into their final position.
Sweetcorn thrives in full sun and rich, well-drained soil, so choose your spot carefully. Plant the young corns in blocks rather than rows to help with pollination; the wind carries pollen from tassel to silk, so tight grouping is key.
Water regularly, especially in dry weather, and consider mulching around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. With a little care, you’ll be harvesting your own sweet, golden corn cobs by mid to late summer.
Growing sweetcorn at home not only tastes better than shop-bought but also reduces waste and packaging. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to watch the tall green stalks grow day by day in your garden or allotment.
Whether you’re new to growing vegetables or a seasoned gardener, sweetcorn is a rewarding crop that the whole family can enjoy. But it all starts with those little seeds, planted now, for a delicious harvest later.
So grab a few deep pots, a pack of sweetcorn seeds, and get sowing this weekend, you’ll thank yourself come barbecue season.