Sow your edible crops in June
In the heart of summer, gardeners can enjoy the bounty of their hard work. Here, we provide tips for growing sweetcorn and managing blackfly on broad beans to ensure a successful harvest.
Sweetcorn Growing Tips
To grow sweetcorn successfully, start by sowing seeds indoors or planting young plants after the last frost in a warm, sunny site with fertile, well-drained soil (pH 6.0–6.5). Space seeds about 8–12 inches apart in rows 2½ to 3 feet apart, or use "hills" with 4–5 seeds each spaced 3 inches apart. Sweetcorn requires high nitrogen and moderate phosphorus and potassium, so fertilize before planting and again when plants are 5–10 inches tall. When silks turn brown, check for ripeness and harvest by twisting the cob sharply from the stem to enjoy maximum sweetness [1][3].
Broad Beans Blackfly Management
Blackfly can be a problem on broad beans, feeding on the tips and producing sticky honey dew. To manage this issue, regularly inspect plants for aphids (blackflies) [2]. Encouraging natural predators like ladybirds can help control the population. You can also spray plants with insecticidal soap or neem oil, ensuring thorough coverage. Alternatively, gently wash plants with water to reduce aphid numbers. It is crucial to act promptly in June to prevent population build-up and damage to bean plants [2].
A Healthy Summer Garden
By following these tips, gardeners can cultivate a healthy sweetcorn crop and effectively manage blackfly on broad beans during the summer months. In summary:
| Sweetcorn Growing Tips | Broad Beans Blackfly Management | |-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------| | Sow indoors; plant out post-frost | Encourage natural predators (ladybirds) | | Warm, sunny site; fertile, well-drained soil | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil | | Fertilize adequately (N, P, K) | Wash plants with water periodically | | Harvest when silks brown, twisting off cob | Monitor plants closely and act early |
Happy gardening!
[1] Growing Sweetcorn: A Complete Guide
[2] Controlling Blackfly on Broad Beans
[3] Harvesting Sweetcorn
- In addition to growing sweetcorn, one must also be mindful of blackfly on broad beans in the home-and-garden setting, as they can cause damage to the plants.
- To cultivate a balanced home-and-garden lifestyle during summer, gardeners should consider growing sweetcorn following the provided tips, while also managing blackfly on broad beans by using natural predators and chemical solutions when necessary.
