Corn Early Casino - Renee's Garden Seeds

Start Seeds Outdoors In spring once weather is warm and settled and night temperatures stay securely above 55f (13C), plant seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in direct sun. Poke seeds in 1 in. deep and 4 to 6 in. apart Plant in a block of 4 side-by-side rows, each row at least 1 foot apart. Thin seedlings to 1 foot apart when several inches tall. Protect from marauding birds if necessary. If first sowing doesn't germinate evenly, replant right away as new seedlings catch up quickly. Make several sowings 2 weeks apart until early June to have successive harvests.    

Growing Notes Corn is a heavy feeder, so add plenty of compost or aged manure to the soil at sowing time. There is no need to isolate Casino from other varieties, but plant seeds in blocks of at least 4 parallel rows to ensure good wind pollination and well filled out ears. Fertilize when young plants are 7 to 8 in. tall and again as ears begin to form. 

Harvest and Use: Well filled out ears of corn are ready to eat when the silks are very dark brown but not dried out. Test by choosing a plump ear and peeling back the husk very slightly. The kernels should be tender and milky when slit with a fingernail. Casino is a SE corn, so the tender crisp kernels will hold their sweetness after harvest.