Watering corn is one of the most important steps in growing a successful crop. Corn needs plenty of water to grow well, but it also needs to be watered at just the right time and in just the right way.
Watering corn is a process that should be done with care. Watering too much can lead to the leaching of nutrients and over-watering can cause root rot.
How Often To Water Corn?
It depends on where you live and the type of soil you have. In general, corn needs about an inch (2.5 cm) of water per week during its growing season, which extends from planting until harvest time.
As a rule of thumb, water your corn patch whenever it feels dry on top — at least once every seven days if your soil is sandy or silt loam, or once every 10 days if it’s clay loam or heavier soil (see chart below). If rain isn’t in the forecast, take care to keep the ground moist until it rains again.
How To Tell It’s Time to Water Your Corn
Corn needs about 1 inch of water per week. The best way to know how much water your corn needs is by keeping a record of the previous years’ rainfall, if any, and seeing how much rain you get during the growing season.
Here are some signs that indicate it may be time to water corn:
The leaves on your plants will start to curl up and brown. This happens because the plant is stressed for water. If you don’t water soon after seeing these symptoms, your crop will die.
When you squeeze a stalk of corn between your fingers, it should slightly dent but not break apart. If it breaks apart easily, it’s too dry and needs more water than what you’re giving it. If it doesn’t dent at all or only slightly dents, then it needs more moisture soon or the plant will die as well.
How to Water Corn
There are a few different methods to water corn. The method you choose will depend on how much time you have and how much water is available.
Warm Water Method: This is the best method for watering corn. It is also the most time-consuming, but it’s worth it if you have the time. Fill a bucket with warm water (about 110 degrees Fahrenheit). Use a spray bottle to mist each cob of corn. Then, pour the water over each cob of corn. Make sure that each cob gets a thorough soaking.
Cold Water Method: If you don’t have the time or resources for the warm water method, then this is the next best option for watering corn. Fill a bucket with cold water (about 55 degrees Fahrenheit). Place each ear of corn in the bucket of cold water and allow it to soak for at least 10 minutes before transplanting it into your garden bed or container.
Fluid Draining Method: This method involves placing your ears of corn in a shallow dish that has drainage holes in it so excess moisture can drain out easily while allowing airflow around the ears of corn so they do not rot while they are still on the stalk.
When Should You Water Corn?
The best time to water your corn is early in the morning or late at night when there is no wind blowing so that the leaves don’t dry out too quickly.
To ensure that your plants get enough moisture without getting too much, try watering them early in the morning or late at night when there is no wind blowing so that their leaves don’t dry out too quickly after you’ve watered them.
How Much Water Does Corn Need?
Most varieties of corn need 1 inch of water per week. That’s roughly equivalent to 2½ gallons per square foot of soil surface area.
If you’re using a drip irrigation system or sprinklers, you’ll want to make sure they are designed for drip systems or sprinklers, respectively. Drip systems are better suited for watering tall crops like corn and tomatoes because they provide more even coverage than sprinklers do.
Signs of Excessive Corn Watering
Corn is a very thirsty crop, but excessive watering can cause problems, including stunted growth and reduced yield. In many cases, the signs of excessive watering are easy to spot. Here are some tips for telling whether your corn is getting too much or too little water.
Leaf color: Healthy corn leaves should be dark green and strong, with no signs of yellowing or browning. If the leaves begin to turn yellow or brown, it’s likely that you’re watering too much.
Leaf tassels: Corn tassels should be tight and compacted together with no obvious gaps in between. If the tassels open up and look sparse or sparsely distributed throughout the plant canopy, it’s likely that you’re watering too much.
Stems: Healthy corn stems should be straight and strong with no signs of withering or wilting at the top of the plant canopy. If your corn stems appear limp or have wilted tops, it could mean that you’re watering too much.
Final Thoughts
Corn plants should be watered frequently, particularly during the early stages of growth. As the plant matures, watering needs will decrease. Corn needs about 1 inch of water per week when it is young, but only needs an inch every two to three weeks when it’s mature.
