Author Topic: Can I leave my sweet corn seedlings uncloched? (Read 2171 times)

wannabesmallholder · « **on:** May 27, 2017, 08:10:55 am »

I've sown my sweet corn direct, under cloches, and they've just germinated.

We're going away this week and the forecast is to be relatively mild with some rain. Would the seedlings be ok to be left uncovered now they've germinated so that they get the benefit of whatever rain there is?

We are in the south of England.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** May 27, 2017, 09:36:55 am »

Check the Beeb online forecast for the time you'll be away to be sure there is no strong wind forecast - that's what has done for our corn before.
I would leave them uncovered so they are watered, otherwise you could come back to scorched, dry seedlings. Give them a really thorough watering before you go. To some extent you have to take your chances, as no-one really knows what the weather will be.

Lesley Silvester · « **Reply #2 on:** May 27, 2017, 11:46:37 pm »

I agree with what FW has said. Is there anything you can put up to protect them from wind if there is any?

Possum · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2017, 09:42:37 am »

Perhaps you could cover them with horticultural fleece? This would help to keep them warm but also allows the rain through.

doganjo · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2017, 10:07:36 am »

All I can say is you lucky s*&s, wish I could grow sweetcorn outside! Mine are just planted and in the greenhouse, beside the tomatoes, and I'll be lucky if they do anything at all.

macgro7 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2017, 01:09:11 am »

I sweetcorn corn is growing really Well! Planted them out inside the chicken run full of manure and old straw. Half of them have plenty of straw mulch and they are knee high and the other half was overgrown with nettles , which I've cut down the other day but they are half the size of the first ones. I mixed three different varieties in there.