Sweetcorn, 'Golden Bantam'

Germination

Sow indoors. Sow 40mm deep in 8cm pots of moist well-drained seed compost. Propagate 18-20°C. Germination takes 7-10 days. Acclimatise and plant out after danger of frost has passed with 60cm spacing. Plant into fertile soil which has had added organic matter. Best grown in blocks rather than long rows to aid pollination. Can be sown directly once the soil has warmed. Sow 2 seeds 50mm deep, 25cm spacing in rows 45cm apart. Thin out to strongest seedling.

Growing

Stake plants individually if tall or in an exposed position. Water well in dry weather. Tap the tops of the plants when the male flower(tassels) open to help pollination. Liquid feed when the cobs start to swell.

Cultivation

Harvesting - test for ripeness when the tassels have turned chocolate brown. Squeeze a kernel with your nails, if a watery liquid squirts out it is not ripe, if the liquid is creamy the cob is ready, if it is paste like it is over ripe. Twist ripe cobs from the stem. Cook asap after harvest as flavour is quickly lost.