Pick it or leave it?

[journey11]

Man, I am ready for a clean slate and hope to clear and till the big garden this week. So tired of looking at weeds. I have a small patch of blue dent corn I am looking forward to harvesting and it started turning brown and drying up about a week ago. Most of the ears of corn are bent over on the stalk, which I've not had that happen before, but I guess it's because they are such big ears. They still don't feel quite dry to me. I usually leave them on until I'm sure they're dry. But do you think I'd be making a mistake if I picked them now? Maybe lay them on a screen to dry in the basement?

 

[hoodat]

Keep an eye on the weather. If a heavy rain is forecast get out there and pick them; otherwise no hurry.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I never picked field corn before it was dry enough to go straight to storage in a corn crib. I don't know how much nutrients the seeds absorb from the dying plant as it dries up. My guess would be not really anything. I can understand you wanting to clean that mess up, I've had one of those years too. Weather's nice too, cooler but not too wet to work in there like it will be later.

If the plants are dead and drying I don't see any problem with you picking them now and letting them further dry on those screens before you go to long term storage. You don't want moldy corn. If any are touching the ground you sure don't want it to rain on them either, like Hoodat said. Especially if the ears are touching the ground they could rot or even sprout if they are that mature. A strong wind in a thunderstorm could blow them over.

 

[seedcorn]

Once corn black layers, all exchange between seed and cob stop. If ear is pointed down, it's done. All that will happen is drying.

IF the plant died from top down, it died of disease and not maturity. Very common, especially this year. Gives it that frosted look.

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i harvested the ears that seemed the driest & pointed outwards. i have them laid out to dry the rest of the way on their own. i started harvesting them since there has been signs & sounds of a raccoon hanging around the property and i didn't want to loose them.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Once corn black layers, all exchange between seed and cob stop. If ear is pointed down, it's done. All that will happen is drying.

IF the plant died from top down, it died of disease and not maturity. Very common, especially this year. Gives it that frosted look.

@seedcorn what do you mean by Once corn black layers? I haven't heard that term before.

 

[catjac1975]

Man, I am ready for a clean slate and hope to clear and till the big garden this week. So tired of looking at weeds. I have a small patch of blue dent corn I am looking forward to harvesting and it started turning brown and drying up about a week ago. Most of the ears of corn are bent over on the stalk, which I've not had that happen before, but I guess it's because they are such big ears. They still don't feel quite dry to me. I usually leave them on until I'm sure they're dry. But do you think I'd be making a mistake if I picked them now? Maybe lay them on a screen to dry in the basement?

Try a plant or 2. Cut at the stalk and hang them upside down in a shed or garage.

 

[Beekissed]

I'd pick it and screen it as you propose. Leaving it out in the rain just encourages more mold growth from here on out.

I'm wishing for that clean slate too but I have tomatoes still ripening, squash still growing and pumpkins ripening up, not to mention flowers blooming...so I just cringe when I walk past the garden and let it be. Trying to be patient.

The chickens are having a real field day, though...I've seen a few of them doing a standing high jump to reach tomatoes that are hanging high. I love it that they are finding so many bugs in the deep litter...that many I won't have to deal with next year.

 

[seedcorn]

Take a kernel off of cob. Scrape the tip off. There will a seal (black layer) between kernel and tip. Kernel moisture once it black layers is 35%. Depending on temp and humidity, could lose .5-1.5% moisture per day. To crib store, needs to be less than 25% moisture.

 

[seedcorn]

If it looks grey instead of black, it means it died before ear was mature. Light TW and harder to shell and store. Light TW is better feed though.