Signs Indicating That Your Corn Is Ready For Harvest

• Posted by Thomas Kholer Tue at 4:25 AM - Filed in Farming - #pick corn  - 35 views

  Corn is a staple crop valued for its versatility and nutritional benefits. Nothing matches the taste of a fresh corn. Harvesting corns at the right time is essential for ensuring optimal flavor, texture and yield. Picking them too early or too late can affect the quality, so understanding the signs of readiness are crucial. If you have no idea about when to pick corn, then bear with us as we explore the indicators by which you can determine the readiness of your corns.

  Inspect the silk

  You should check the corn silk which is the fine hair like strands emerging from the top of the ear because it is one of the earliest and most visible signs of maturity. Let me explain this in details.

  When corn is ready for harvest, the silk will usually turn brown and dry out, thus giving a brittle feeling when touched. For sweet corn, this transformation usually occurs between 18 to 24 days after the first appearance of the silk. This indicates that the kernels have developed properly for consumption. However, the silk may still have some green or moist areas at the base, especially for sweet corn as the husks should remain green. In case of field corn, the silk usually becomes fully brown and dry, signaling that the kernels are hardening for grain or storage. It is recommended that you observe the silk on multiple corns across your field or garden as the maturation of silk can vary slightly between plants. If it is still green or sticky, then leave the corn as it is.

  Check the calendar

  Every variety of corn has a designated growing period which usually ranges from 60 to 100 days, depending on the type of corn. The seed packet provides the ‘days to maturity’ which is the approximate time from planting to harvest under ideal conditions.

  You should start tracking the days from planting or when the first silks appear as this will help you to anticipate when to begin checking for other signs. For instance, early-maturing sweet corn varieties may be ready in 60 to 75 days whereas field corn for grain may take approximately 90 to 100 days. Environmental factors like temperature, rainfall or soil fertility can alter slightly after the timeline so use the days to maturity as a starting point combine it with physical inspections.

  Observe the development of kernel

  Assessing the kernels directly is one of the most reliable ways to determine the harvest readiness of the corns since their appearance and texture vary depending on the corn type and intended use. In case of sweet corns, kernels should be plump, well-filled and tender. When you puncture a kernel with your fingernail, it should release a milky while liquid, indicating milk stage. If the liquid is clear and watery, then the corn is underdeveloped.

  The kernels of field corn should be hard and show a characteristic dent on top, thus signaling they have reached the mature stage.

  Finding out the right time for harvesting corn requires careful observation of numerous indicators. This knowledge will ensure a successful harvest with optimal flavor, texture and yield.