I love gardening.
Sitting down at the supper table with a plate of food that I grew myself is an experience like no other. Beyond that – having the skill and confidence to be able to grow your own food if needed……..priceless.
One of the crops that I have just recently started growing is corn. Last year I had a small but great looking row of corn going – until they were mercilessly attack by a savage pack of wild squirrels. This year I have a couple of rows going and so far looking good. I am trying some “anti-pest” methods to keep the critters out.
Due to varying soil conditions and limited space – container gardening has been a major part of my planting each year. This year trying out corn in a Rubbermaid tote.
I used regular top soil mixed with some local soil. As you can see from the picture above – the seeds have sprouted very well. I have mulched the container well to help retain moisture (corn likes lots of water).
One concern is the corn being able to stay vertical once it grows tall. I may need to provide some support.
I will keep everyone updated on how it goes with this project.
Rourke
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That is a great idea for the use of a rubber-maid container. I have two of them that have no lids and I could sure use the extra space for planting. I am going to have to try something in them. It will get them out of the storage room and make extra space to put something else in their place and get garden space to boot. Great post. Thanks for the info.
Rourke, although I haven’t tried one of these, corn is said to grow quite well in Earthboxes.
http://www.boelstoddard.com/growing-in-earthboxes/
they are similar to the tub you are using but use bottom watering and a cover over the top to conserve moisture.
here’s a link I found but do Google Earthbox and see what you can do. Also, you can build a similar type of growing container very cheaply. There are plans on the net. Here is one link i found.
http://www.josho.com/gardening.htm
there are several ways of building one of these self watering containers and once you get the idea of how they work, you might come up with your own technique.
good luck with your corn.
I posted a short piece today about container grown sweet potatoes. They are my favorite things to grown in containers!
pamela
Could you do the Indian think and run bean plants up the corn stalks?
Corn always struck me as a lot of space for little return by itself.
russell1200 –
I wish I had thought of that when I planted the corn.
Maybe next time.
Thanks – Rourke
I’m using 5 gal walmart paint buckets..for my corn..if bad weather comes i grab the bucket
and move to the garage…same for my onions..
az1 –
I may start using some Wal-Mart buckets – didn’t know they carried any until this past weekend. Looks to be a pretty good deal.
Thanks – Rourke
Indian corn growing involved Corn, Climbing beans and Squash, called the three sisters. The three corps support each other perfectly giving a greater return to them all. Check it out for yourself:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture)
My corn was looking good, then the ants, believe they are called cutter ants. well whatever the proper name, they have stripped my corn, cucumbers, and pepper plants, for now they haven’t gotten to my potatoes and 1 tomato plant that are in 5 gallon buckets..Does anyone know what will kill them? I have tried every home remedy on the planet and spent way too much for chemicals that don’t work.
we used to grow corn in wax paper milk containers as a kid for transplanting . worked better and the crows didn’t get the seed
Yay, I’m doing the same, except not with corn. My cherry tomatoes are coming along, and I have 2 nice jalapenos and more baby jalapenos. My yellow squash planted next to the yellow pepper isn’t doing well at all – most likely the different potting soil – I’ll see if fertilizing helps. They’re all in the same kind of container as your corn. Earlier, I tried purple potatoes in the same bin, and barely got enough for one meal. But they tasted great at least.
I also used Walmart’s self-watering containers and the herbs look good, and I might get a few strawberries too.
Corn and cukes also do well as companions. My bucket potatoes are doing well. Have been experimenting with a modified bucket and potatoes. I started the spuds in the ground and when they got to be about 8 inches tall, I placed a bottomless 5 gallon bucket around each plant. As they grow I add dirt, peat moss, and compost. The plants in the bottomless buckets are growing a third faster than the spuds growing in the rows. The proof will be known at harvest time. Also, I cut a 2 inch diameter center hole in the bucket bottom discs and sawed a slot from the outer diameter to the center and am using them as mulch/weed control around tomatoes. Sincerely, Darrel
bottomless buckets????
why didn’t I think of that!
LOL
What an absolutely brilliant idea!
you know, I don’t have a bucket to use like that but, I have this cardboard tube stuff they use in construction that I coulc cut and use like that.
Wow, what a good idea with the potatoes! I’ll be thinking about your idea all day. LOL
For support, I have started using standard concrete wire. It comes 5 ft across and in rolls. I just cut it and form a tube that I fasten with zip ties. I use it to support corn, tomatoes, potatoes, beans, squash, cukes etc. It helps me to use the vertical space in my garden. It rusts but will last for years. I use bolt cutters to cut it.