I've been growing corn for a while now and usually sow it at the minimum spacing to avoid wasting seed. However, this year, it seems like birds and cutworms have been getting to my young plants, which led me to thin out the extra sprouts and transplant them into the gaps. I'm new to transplanting corn, but the first few days post-transplant have shown promising results. Moving forward, I plan on using mesh coverings right after sowing to keep the pests away and follow the recommended sow-spacing so that I reduce the gaps. What tips do you have for protecting young corn plants from pests and ensuring they thrive?
1 Answer
Transplanting corn can be tricky because they need to be set at the right depth for best growth. If you're struggling with germination, it could help to check your seed quality. However, if your seeds are sprouting well and it's just pests taking them out, maybe try planting them deeper. Just be cautious not to plant them too deep, or it might affect their growth. How's your transplanting depth looking?
I’ve had decent germination too! I planted two seeds per hole and usually get both sprouting. The key for me was to plant the transplants deep enough so they’re stable but not so deep that they can’t access sunlight, which might be tricky. Did you manage to keep them stable after transplanting? That’s critical!