16th January 2023
This week it’s been freezing! I have been working in the office
wearing a woolly hat, 4 layers, big socks, a coat and I have the log fire
burning. I am also wrapped up in the dog’s blanket to keep my legs warm,
much to Rosie’s disgust. Begrudgingly I give her back her blanket so I
can write this blog and get some movement into my icy hands.
So, what is the focus this week? It should be seed purchasing and planting plans,
but I got rather side-tracked thinking about corn. Having spent 4, rather
blissful, hours designing my garden planting plan, I’ve realised that I really
want to “try” and grow corn this year. I don’t know why I have got this
bee in my new gardening bonnet but there it is, and it won’t go away. I want to
grow all the normal things like tomatoes and beetroots and potatoes, but I just
can’t stop thinking about big, huge billowy corn plants. The problem is, I have
no idea where to plant them.
I’ve worked out I need 24 square foot if I want to give it a proper go and
not just harvest a few ears of corn that will probably get eaten by some bug
thing I’m not even aware exists. I also need the sunniest spot that won’t
be too near any other veg, so the billowing stalks of corn don’t block out the
sun for nearby, more vertically challenged veg.Â
Obviously, I see that this would be a rather amazing problem to have, should
it arise, as it would mean I am growing something edible that is bigger than
the size of me. However, woman cannot live by corn alone, especially as they
will only bear one or two ears each. That conjures up a weird BFG type
image thinking of corn with ears. Anyway, back to the problem at
hand. Where to put the corn so it can grow big and not cast a big shadow?
Of course, once I had assessed the veg plot, the ideal place would be the
areas that are housing the newly installed raised beds. Rubbish!Â
Unless I just want corn, I needed another option. The space to the North
of the beds was the home of two very large imposing Ash trees.  Both
of which would cast their own shadows and definitely not share the sun with any
little corn plants. So, the only other option is to create a bed area in front
of all the raised beds, far enough away that any shadow cast does not.
Not sure how the “pretty-garden” design-police will feel about me
digging straight into the ground and creating a patch that is not symmetrically
lined up with the other beds. Hmmm, maybe he’ll take over and save my
aching limbs from all the digging if I make a hash of it – Though, not sure my
pride could do that just to save on a bit of digging. Let’s see how long
it takes, muscles vs. pride. I go back to the house to get another hot drink
before I start and try not to listen to the inner critic warning me it may be a
lot of effort for some corn husks.
Let the dig commence!
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