Botanical Information | |
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Order | Poales |
Family | Poaceae |
Genus | Zea |
Common Name | Maize - incl. Sweet Corn |
Species | Z. mays |
Planting months | |||||||||||
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Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Permaculture uses | ||
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Usage 1 | Usage 2 | Usage 3 |
Staple_Food | Vegetable |
Growing Condition | Comment |
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Drought Tolerant | Yes |
Humidity tolerant | Yes |
Planting area | Ground |
Sunlight | Full_sun |
Tall, shallow roots, hungry, needs wind protection. Popcorn, needs processing for human consumption.
Space plants: 20 - 30 cm apart
Compatible with (can grow beside): All beans, cucumber, melons, peas, pumpkin, squash, amaranth
Avoid growing close to: Celery.
Best planted in blocks to help with pollination.
Pick when the silky threads on the cobs turn brown or black. Part the top of the leaves and test for ripeness by pressing a grain with your fingernail. If it is milky, it is ready. Early varieties ripen quickly and are sweeter when just picked. Avoid planting coloured maize ( for drying) near sweetcorn as they will cross-pollinate and spoil the cobs on both.