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gourmet grower<br />
sow it now<br />
start off<br />
sweetcorn<br />
Cultivars to try<br />
‘Mirai Picnic’ Tender<br />
super-sweet cultivar<br />
with smaller-sized<br />
cobs but with the<br />
benefit of there<br />
being more than<br />
one on each<br />
plant. £2.79<br />
for 30 seeds,<br />
Marshalls 0844<br />
557 6700; www.<br />
marshalls-seeds.co.uk<br />
‘Lark’<br />
Bred for tenderness<br />
and sweetness.<br />
Copes better with<br />
cooler growing<br />
conditions than<br />
some and has<br />
generous-sized<br />
cobs. £2.19 for 35<br />
seeds, DT Brown<br />
0333 003 0869;<br />
www.dtbrownseeds.<br />
co.uk<br />
Sow and transplant<br />
‘Swift’<br />
Very early cropping<br />
tender cultivar<br />
that’s super<br />
sweet. Plants are<br />
smaller in stature<br />
so less prone to<br />
damage in more<br />
exposed locations.<br />
£2.49 for 35 seeds,<br />
Suttons 0844 326<br />
2200; www.suttons.<br />
co.uk<br />
1<br />
Sow indoors<br />
Sow into deep modules or pots<br />
(root trainers work well), one seed<br />
per module, 2cm (¾in) deep. Keep at<br />
about 15-20C (59-68F) to germinate,<br />
and grow on in a frost-free greenhouse<br />
before acclimatising them slowly<br />
to outdoor conditions.<br />
2<br />
Improve the site<br />
Choose a sunny sheltered site<br />
(strong winds can topple tall<br />
plants) and ground that has been<br />
improved with well-rotted organic<br />
matter. Water in well and continue to<br />
water during dry spells of weather,<br />
especially once flowering starts.<br />
3Transplant them<br />
Plant them 45cm (18in) apart in<br />
blocks rather than a single line.<br />
Sweetcorn is wind pollinated and to<br />
increase the chances of pollen reaching<br />
its target you need enough plants to<br />
make a generous block – at least 4x4<br />
plants or, preferably, 5x5 or more.<br />
74 Garden Answers
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