How do i know when my corn is ready to be picked?
2007-07-19 16:10:23 · 8 answers · asked by bmxfanatic333 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
The tassel (or silk) on the top of the stalk will be dark, as will the tassels on the tips of each ear of corn. Once the silks are dark, grab an ear of corn and squeeze firmly. If it feels full and firm it is ready. If it feels like there is room between the husk and what's underneath, it isn't ready.
If you think it's ready, pull the husks back on one ear. The kernels should be plump and full. Don't worry if the very tip end of the corn isn't developed, this is usually cut off anyway.
2007-07-19 16:15:56 · answer #1 · answered by Sherri 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Usually when the silk darkens, (turns brown)
but not always.
Open the link below for the experts opinion
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/07/12/HOGERJQR9Q1.DTL
You know that sweet corn is almost ready for the cooking pot when the ears look plump and the exposed part of the silk, at the top of each ear, is dry and dark brown. To determine the exact ripeness of an ear, make a vertical slit in the husk near the top of an ear and use your thumbnail to puncture a kernel. The corn is at peak sweetness when the liquid in the kernels is neither watery nor opaque, but translucent.
Don't be fooled by poorly filled-out ears. If the silks are brown and the ear looks plump, but the kernels near the top of the ear aren't filled out, check a little lower where plump kernels may be maturing. When these are ready, harvest, even if there are undeveloped ones near the top.
2007-07-19 17:12:06 · answer #2 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch the silk (the hair sticking out from the end of the ear). When it starts to turn brown-start checking an ear. Just peel back the shucks (leaves) a little, just enough to see the corn. The ear should be filled out with plump kernels. Poke your thumb nail into one of the kernels. Its should be firm, but juicy. You can also just take a bite right out of the raw corn-its actually good.
2007-07-19 16:17:34 · answer #3 · answered by Skip-Jack 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
See all of above , re the silk . One additional note , if it is a supersweet variety , you have to be very prompt about picking . With others you have 2-3 days , not so with supersweets .
Just saw some new ones . Now 3 divisions of supersweet. Above applies to "normal" supersweets, & "Synergistic " ones (25 % sh2 , supersweet / 75% sweet )
Doesn't apply to "Gourmet Special" Supersweets ("Augmented " shrunken(sh2)) Apparently those hold better, on or off the plant, than even "normal" corn .
http://www.stokeseeds.com/cgi-bin/StokesSeeds.storefront/46a0348f02de098c2746cf366ce3069c/Catalog/1043
2007-07-19 16:50:27 · answer #4 · answered by mikeinportc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
verify an ear of corn from the backyard. it could have mature kernels on the cob, like those interior the food market. If no longer, it desires to advance some extra. verify the silk tassels too, they could be dark brown.
2016-12-10 17:16:18 · answer #5 · answered by barreda 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when they look like feathers sticking out of the side their long stringy type stuff that encase the corn cob
2007-07-20 04:26:35 · answer #6 · answered by john s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
when the ear feels full and firm and the tips of the silk is dry and dark brown enjoy
2007-07-19 16:22:18 · answer #7 · answered by ginny 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You squeeze around the end of the ear and see if it is full like the base of the ear. You just have to feel it.
2007-07-19 16:15:47 · answer #8 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋