Gardener’s Log #1 – CountrySidequest

Today was a dreary, drizzly day. I won’t know the total rainfall until I check the rain gauge tomorrow.

The corn I planted in late May is filling out, and really needs the rain to plump up those kernels. I’ve been slacking on the watering, which is very apparent in the lower leaves of the stalks. After appearing full and healthy for months, it only took a week for them to wilt and turn brown. I think the number of ears per stalk is also low.

*July 30, 2023. Stalks look healthy with no wilting or browning.*

*August 6, 2023. Exactly one week later. Stalks are exhibiting an alarming amount of browning and wilting.*

Where I think I went wrong with the corn this year:

Planted the seeds too close together
Mulched with dried grass instead of pine shavings
Planted in a diagonal pattern
Not watering consistently
Not weeding consistently

How can I improve for next year:

Pay closer attention to seed spacing as well as row spacing. As the corn filled out it left no room for air flow.
Switch back to the pine shavings (animal bedding) I had been using with good results the past two years. I had used the dried grass to save money and be more self-sufficient with my mulch. Although I did let the mown grass dry for several days to get rid of the grass and weed seeds, I’m not sure it worked.
Use one or two of the newer straight beds instead of the triangular bed. Because I used the triangular garden bed I had to plant the corn in diagonal rows that met in the middle. Ultimately, I could try again in this bed without the middle straight row dissecting the diagonal rows.

Photo shows the garden from the southwest side. The corn is growing in a triangular bed with two cattle panels bordering it. — The corn is in a triangular bed with two sides being defined with cattle panels. This is making it hard to harvest and weed. It also limits allow airflow due to the cucumbers and peas that are climbing the panels. Altogether not a great spot for corn.

To water more consistently, I think drip irrigation would be my best bet. This year I felt that it wasn’t the year to add drip irrigation, though. We doubled the garden area, and it took a lot of time and energy to prep and plant. My current oscillating sprinkler set up works ok when the garden isn’t in full bloom. Perhaps soaker hoses for the corn specifically.
Better seed and row spacing and using a different garden bed would fix this issue. Due to the proximity of the stalks and the trellises on two sides, weeding is extremely difficult when the corn is mature. I love my stirrup hoe for this job, but I can’t reach all the way to the back of the garden bed.

Time will tell if the harvest will be salvageable. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.