Sweetcorn

The corn is going very well. I have four or five cobs almost ready to be picked. The hairy ends have started to turn brown which I believe is the indicator that they are ripe.

Three Sisters technique for growing corn

I just came across an interesting agricultural technique called the 'three sisters' for cultivating corn crops.

It is an ancient technique first used by Native Americans. You start by making a large mound 60cm high and 50cm wide. You mix in plenty of manure. Now comes the interesting part. In the middle you plant your corn. When the seedling is 30cm high you plant pumpkin and runner bean seeds around the corn.

The corn then acts as a support for the beans, the beans add nitrogen to the soil and the pumpkin acts as a natural mulch, supressing weed growth.

I have already planted my sweetcorn so I will be definitely experimenting with this.