Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn.

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sun, 17 May 2026 07:42:08 GMT

malte@radikal.social — Sun, 17 May 2026 07:42:08 GMT

@banjopat They are an old species here and we have one forest with an old population of Tilia cordsta. Unfortunately, we have very few old trees left in this country because agriculture has tended to take priority over all else in the landscape. @richrollgardener

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sun, 17 May 2026 00:58:20 GMT

banjopat@union.place — Sun, 17 May 2026 00:58:20 GMT

@malte @richrollgardener I have visited Denmark. I really love the lime (linden) trees. Tilia cordata I think. Not sure.

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sat, 16 May 2026 09:53:24 GMT

malte@radikal.social — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:53:24 GMT

@banjopat That's a significant difference. Yes, the climates are difficult to compare. We're closer to the pole, but the AMOK (for now) makes the weather more temperate. In Denmark, you're always close to the coast too. @richrollgardener

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sat, 16 May 2026 09:50:22 GMT

banjopat@union.place — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:50:22 GMT

@malte @richrollgardener the New England climate (Zone 5 for me) is extreme relative to northern Europe. From day to day the temperature can fluctuate more. Also, I wonder if the length of daylight makes a difference. No directly planted seed really gets going for me before the end of May. I have tiny pea, carrot and lettuce that I’m defending from slugs at present. As well as potatoes just showing.

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sat, 16 May 2026 09:42:44 GMT

malte@radikal.social — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:42:44 GMT

@richrollgardener I can see that! I think the amount of vegetation around my plants keep birds from picking up the small plants. There's too much to satisfy their curiosity.

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sat, 16 May 2026 09:36:43 GMT

richrollgardener@toot.wales — Sat, 16 May 2026 09:36:43 GMT

@malte Yes, the soil temp and how it affects germination is part of it, but also I got tired of crows and starlings pulling up the seedlings and having to endlessly re-sow. Starting in pots gives me better control of each planting and helps with timing each successive planting. Photo from 28 May 2024.
#BeetBear
#SweetCorn
#NewEngland
#Zone6b

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Sat, 16 May 2026 07:23:35 GMT

malte@radikal.social — Sat, 16 May 2026 07:23:35 GMT

@richrollgardener Is your season too short to direct sow? Here in Denmark, Northern Europe, direct sowing usually works well. I think we're in a similar climate.

Reply to Now that we have our greenhouse bench clear, it's time to get going with the first planting of sweetcorn. on Thu, 14 May 2026 20:16:39 GMT

richrollgardener@toot.wales — Thu, 14 May 2026 20:16:39 GMT

ALSO, we have to cover the pots with some screening to keep the chipmunks out while the corn is sprouting!