Kitchen Garden Forum

I've been given some sweet corn plants but am struggling to find the space for them. How many do you think I could cram into a container about 12 inches wide and about a foot deep? It's currently filled with well manured compost.

Hi Primrose, I have never tried sweetcorn in containers but would be a little hesitant if your pot is only a foot deep. They get so tall, wouldn't it be in danger of falling over? And would their long tap roots have enough depth? Would be interested to see how you get on... In terms of quantity, if you are going to do this, I'd think no more than three plants.

Primrose wrote:I've been given some sweet corn plants but am struggling to find the space for them. How many do you think I could cram into a container about 12 inches wide and about a foot deep? It's currently filled with well manured compost.

Hi Primrose

I'm afraid my answer to your question has to be None. As Bigpp says they have a lot of roots. They also grow tall and need a lot of water. I know your garden is small - so I would be inclined to plant them amongst other plants, about 30-60 cm apart - in a block for pollination.

Alan

I agree with the others. Sweetcorn are just not suitable for pots or containers. Have you got space in a flower border? They are fine looking plants, tall with glossy leaves and would fit in well in a place like that. Don't worry too much about all this growing in a block business - as long as the plants aren't too far away from each other everything should be fine. As you probably know each plant produces male flowers at the top and female flowers, the silks, lower down and as far as I know they are self-pollinating. I remember my mother, years ago, dotting them around her flower borders and getting a fine crop of cobs.

John

Thanks for your responses. I've now planted them in between my rows of leeks and will throw a bit of extra composted manure in that area to make up for the fact that everything is jammed in closely together. I know all the experts recommend certain spacings between rows of plants but it never ceases to amaze me how I manage to break the rules by cramming stuff in and generally getting good yields. I guess adding lots of compost & manure helps.