Raise the Best Ambrosia Sweet Corn
Ambrosia is a variety of sweet corn that produces large, white, tasty ears of corn. It takes about 75 days from planting to yield an edible ear of corn. If you plant early enough, you may even be able to get a second ear from the stalks. If you want to optimize your success of growing the best ambrosia sweet corn crop, you will want to familiarize yourself with the best growing, irrigating, weeding, harvesting and storing procedures for this variety. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Planting
1. Take into account the threat of cross pollination from other varieties when you determine the location that you want to plant. Corn can produce a large amount of spores and you don't want that interfering with your ambrosia crop. Plan your garden accordingly and keep them well separated from other varieties.
2. Wait to plant your ambrosia sweet corn until after the threat of frost has passed and the soil is above 60 degrees F, usually May or June. The University of Illinois suggests that you plant the kernels ½ inch deep if your soil is cool and moist, 1 to 1 ½ inches if your soil is warm and dry.
3. Space kernels 9 to 12 inches apart in each row. Each row should be 30 to 36 inches from the next.
Care
4. Weed frequently to prevent overgrowth of unwanted invaders but avoid using chemical herbicides in your garden.
5. Monitor the soil to ensure it is well fertilized and draining properly with least 8 hours of light a day.
6. Maintain adequate amounts of water. Rain is best but if there isn't enough during the growing season, you will want to supplement with irrigation. Sweet Corn Growing Tips recommends an inch a week or more if you are experiencing a dry spell.
Harvest
7. Harvest ears of ambrosia sweet corn when they are in the milk stage and have full, blunt tips. The University of Illinois describes this as when the kernels are smooth, plump, and fully formed but they have not reached peak maturity. This is approximately 20 days after you notice the silk strands emerge from the ears. Unfortunately this stage lasts less than a week, so be observant around this time. If the silk strands start to turn brown and the kernels appear milky when you puncture them, this also indicates that they are ready for harvest.
8. Snap the ambrosia ears off by grabbing it with your hand, pulling down firmly, and twisting. This should release the ear rather easily. Once the stalks have been harvested, you will want to pull them from the ground and add them to your compost.
9. Eat or refrigerate the corn promptly after harvest. Store your corn while it is still in the husk. Put it in a perforated plastic bag in the refrigerator as soon as you have picked it. Use the sweet corn within 2 days, as they do not store well for long periods of time.
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