Here we go, from North Carolina!!

Hello all,

This is the first year that I have used the SFG way to grow my own food, and only the second year that I have tried to garden. I live on a big sand hill that is completely void of any nutrients. Last year I tried to grow some stuff and it simply did not work unless I force fed the crops fertilizer. This year, I don't want to use any chemicals and to date I have been following Mel's book to the 't'! Below are the pics, tell me what you think. I have a question about corn, I am trying to grow corn, it is on the end next to sunflowers and bush beans. Does anyone have any info on how to hand pollinate corn. I am using heirloom, non-gmo seeds and really have no idea what I am doing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

This is the beginning, the day we planted seeds in early April:



This is from yesterday, 5/5/13, notice the corn, does anyone have any tips for being successful with corn?

Hello,
Thanks for the pictures! I have yet to grow corn but I do know that its is pollinated by the wind. So if any farmers are going corn or anyone else is like a hundred miles radius than it will cross pollinate with yours. Your garden looks beautiful and good luck to you!!!

Wow! Your box is really nice looking! This is my first year sfging as well... I am also growing corn, but I don't have a clue what I'm doing as well lol! I wish you the best of luck!

I have seen articles on google on hand pollinating corn. Don't recall seeing anyone on this forum try it.

If you get a chance in a future planting, I've gotten very good pollination from an entire 4x4 bed of corn, four seeds per square, total of 64 stalks that was plenty enough to pollinate itself.

I have to disagree with an earlier poster on that 100 mile statement. Maybe the person was kidding. But if you have a commercial farmer growing starchy ol' cow corn within, actually forget, something like a mile or two you could have cross pollination resulting in your sweet corn becoming starchy.

justinr7, welcome to the forum! You sure have a nice setup! I'm not growing corn, but I remember seeing a discussion here about hand pollinating corn and other plants. If I can remember which one it was I will post a link.

I think you'll like it here. Lots of nice folks with much knowledge to share. I'm new at gardening, so I'm learning as well.

I can't find the discussion here, but a quick search on the net I found this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C8pR0GnKMg

Welcome, Justinr7!

I've got a bed in corn, too. I planted 16 and then 16 more two weeks later and I'll keep doing that till the bed is full. Hope it will pollinate! Mine is a tabletop bed....we'll see how that works out. Or doesn't!!

Sure do like the look of your beds! Very tidy and pretty! Nice job!

Best of luck to you - Mary

WELCOME!
This is my 3rd season growing corn in my SFG. The wind will help pollinate (which is why it's good to plant in blocks like you did) and you can also hand shake the stalks when it's time to help them along. My first year with growing corn was a big experiment and I greatly underestimated how heavy of a feeder they are. Keep your compost tea, fish emulsion or any hearty, natural fertilizer on hand for them or they will steal it away from everything that it's near and be stunted.

Thanks for the reply, and advice...You mentioned that when it is time, I can shake the stalks by hand to aide in pollination. I have read a bit about this but I get confused when it comes to how to know that it is the right time. How do I know that it is the time to pollinate? Thanks again for your advice!

justinr7, watch the video I posted. It has a lot of information in it.

Here is another video. This guy isn't so worried about keeping the genetic purity. Easier way to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJnMtUpHXyA

This pic was taken from our garden today, exactly 1 month from the last pic. Things are becoming exciting!