Want To Grow Corn But Have No Pollinators In Your Yard? Here's The Planting Method To Try

Are you trying to grow sweet corn in your garden for a tasty golden harvest, but seem to be struggling with cobs coming out half-formed? Well, don't be too quick to blame it all on the lack of pollinators in your yard. Luckily, with corn, you don't actually need to bring more pollinators into your yard and garden, as corn is one of those plants that is pollinated by the wind. This method works so well because the pollen has very little weight, is buoyant, and travels easily across some distance with even just the slightest breeze.

Therefore, if you're growing your corn plants in single rows, you'll often get a poor yield. Much of the pollen with this planting method will escape sideways. So, what's the fix? Plant corn in blocks of four or more instead, or in a tight circle. You can also try planting them side by side in 4 short rows to increase the rate of pollination and improve yield. 

As with everything, the key to successfully planting corn is moderation. You want the corn plants in close vicinity to each other, but allow enough room for the cobs to develop and for the plants to have good air circulation. If you're growing corn in raised beds or in a small space, a 15 by 15-inch square should easily accommodate at least nine plants that are spaced around 7 to 9 inches apart. Grouping them, by growing three rows of three plants spaced this way, should provide good pollination.

However, if your corn is just tucked away in a sheltered spot, you can look into hand pollination, instead. It can be a game-changer even in places where there is wind but edge plants often get missed, leaving cobs half-filled. The best time to do this is around 7 to 10 days after the tassels at the top first emerge. The pollen production is at its peak during this time, and you should take advantage of this window.

To hand pollinate corn, cut off a mature tassel and slowly rub it over the silks of a developing ear. Now it may sound like a lot, but you need to do it a few times to ensure maximum pollination. Also, try to do this during the morning, as higher humidity in the air will help the pollen to stick to the silks. Sometimes, you'll find that just gently shaking each plant, will disperse the pollen from the tassel down onto the silks, as well. Finally, if you're keen to increase the number of pollinators in your yard, you can grow a few companion herbs with corn for the most successful harvest.