PLANTING DEPTH FOR AMBROSIA SWEET CORN!!!

'Ambrosia' is a sugar-enhanced sweet corn (Zea mays) variety with bicolored kernels and a seed-to-harvest duration of 68 to 72 days, reports Smart Gardener. Growing 'Ambrosia' sweet corn in gardens can be rewarding, but if your planting depth is incorrect, it can quickly turn into a disappointing venture. Learn how to properly sow 'Ambrosia' sweet corn seeds, and before you know it, the 8-inch-long ears will be harvest-ready.

Sowing the Seeds

Plant 'Ambrosia' sweet corn seeds about two weeks after the last spring frost date when the soil has warmed to at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Sweet corn planting depth is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches deep got moist, heavy soils, advises Pioneer Agroscience. In dry, sandy soils, sow seeds 2 to 2-1/2 inches deep. At this depth, the seeds will have access to more stable moisture and slightly warmer temperatures than if they were sown closer to the soil surface. Grow the plants 1 foot apart in rows that are 2 to 3 feet apart.

Importance of Planting Depth

If you think that sowing sweet corn seeds closer to the soil surface is going to result in faster germination, think again. Even if the seedlings emerge, the roots may not develop correctly or they might not develop at all. Sweet corn seeds that are sown close to the soil surface are more likely to become bird feed. Additionally, the plant's nodal root system, which is responsible for absorbing nutrients and water, may develop above the soil surface instead of 3/4-inch below the surface. The plant's poor stand may cause it to fall over during heavy winds.

Soil Requirements

'Ambrosia' sweet corn needs deep, well-drained, rich soil to grow. A soil pH between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal. Perform a soil test in the fall to determine the pH of the soil in your garden. According to your test results, incorporate limestone to raise the pH or sulfur to lower it. Cultivate the soil to a depth of 6 inches, and if you don't do a soil test, work in a 12-12-12 fertilizer at a rate of 3 to 4 pounds per 100 square feet.

Sweet Corn Care

Because 'Ambrosia' sweet corn is a tropical, grass-like plant, it benefits from sun and nitrogen. Grow the plants in the sunniest spot in the garden where they'll get at least six hours of sunlight. When the plants are 8 to 10 inches tall, side-dress with a 33-0-0 fertilizer at a rate of 1 pound per 100 feet of row, advises Purdue University. Side-dress again seven days after the tassels emerge. Provide the plants with 1 1/2 inches of water per week and harvest when the ears are firm and the kernels contain a milky juice.

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Rererred By SF Gate Contributor