Corn is susceptible to wind damage.  I specifically remember coming home one evening with my family as a child.  It had been raining and the wind was blowing furiously.  As we drove into the driveway my dad noticed most of our corn in the garden was laying over.  We went out that evening stood the corn plants back up and packed the muddy soil around the roots and base of the stalks to hold them in place.  This may be an extreme example, but it does show the vulnerability of corn to wind damage.  If you have a choice of locations to plant, it’s best to choose the one less affected by wind.

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Corn is a monocot, or grass, species.  Just like your lawn needs plenty of fertilizer (particularly nitrogen) growing corn also requires higher levels of this nutrient.  It’s always best to have your soil checked through your county extension service to provide you with a baseline of how much fertilizer your growing corn will need.

Although wind can damage growing corn, it is also important for fertilization.  As the pollen matures on the top of the plant, which is actually a flower, it is carried by wind to the silks of the immature corn ear.  The pollen then travels down into the husk to fertilize each kernel, or seed.  Improper fertilization results in underfilled ears.  To help with this mechanism it is always a good idea to plant corn in blocks at least ten feet wide by 10 feet across.  Within the blocks the rows should be one foot apart.

Growing corn in the home garden is easy and fun.  Sure, you can go to the market and purchase a dozen ears for two dollars.  But, if you have the space in your garden, growing corn yourself will provide you with the freshest flavor and a great sense of accomplishment.