Justin writes:
“After watching your video about growing corn in stations when you originally posted it, I thought I need to try it out. Our ground is hard, red clay, and working a large area is very hard work.
As you can see, you don’t have to till a big area.
Justin sent me a picture of how he’s growing his corn this year:
This last week one of my articles on this method was posted at the Grow Network:
“Before I moved to Central America a couple of years ago, I always planted corn in rows, one plant every 6-12 inches, 1.5-3 feet apart.
Like this:
Then a farmer taught me the local method of planting corn in stations, and I’ve found it really saves prep time.
Instead of tilling an area, you just take a string trimmer (or scythe or whatever may be your weed-clearing weapon of choice) and scalp the ground right down to the dirt.
Then knock loose holes in the ground about 2.5 feet apart, plant 4 kernels in each hole, and feed with manure or whatever high-nitrogen material you have.
In a few weeks, the corn will grow taller, but the weeds you knocked down will also return. Come back with your string trimmer and knock all the space between the corn back to bare earth.
In a few more weeks, the corn will be tall enough to take care of itself and shade out the weeds. Eventually, you harvest the ears, then turn the ground over to grow something else.”
You can read the rest of the article here.
In the full article, I explain more of the thinking behind this method. I’m sold on it, and wish I could have tried it back in Florida. I’ll leave that to you guys to try. Please send pictures!
2 responses to “Planting corn in stations – on top of the good stuff!”
You’re rapping now?, and you still get my UmmaGumma reference. You sir, are amazing !!!
Oh yeah.