Growing corn

[BigBill]

I'm dumping truck loads of 4 year old cow manure in my corn field and i hope to grow corn better next year. What do you think? I did plan on hitting it twice once now and again in the spring too.

I'm also having problems in getting good seed too. One package never came up in one spot. I figure its bad seed.

[beaconlight]

Do a soil test. Can't fix it if you don't know what is wrong, or right.

[daddydip]

if it grows it should be very nutritous!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

You have a good start with the old manure, but it still will take severla years for it to fully break down. Manure on a garden is a long term investment. I would also suggest getting a soil test on your garden. In Mo. you get your samples, and the Extension office provides a mailer. It used to be free, but now I think it is around $15 or so, but is money well spent.

In my area the best quality garden seed comes from the local farm and feed supply store. They buy it in large cans and you dip out as much as you want. The assortment is not as big as the places such as Lowes, etc. put the price and quality are much better.

[DanR]

If the corn did not come up in 'one spot' take a soil sample from that spot in addition to the rest of the garden. Make it a separate test. Get your seed from a local source like your local Co-Op or AG store. Try to stay away from the Big Box seed. Wherever you do buy the seed, ask them where it came from and is it certified. If they don't know go somewhere else.

[SONNY]

Are you pos that you dont have a black cutworm invasion on part of your field?----Another bad A-- is wireworms attacking the seed before it emerges!

Weak germination usually affects the whole field,--but read what their germ. claim is on the lable,---gotta be on there by law!---Dont buy low germ count,---OR if worst came down , then overplant to compensate for that amount!

At any rate keep the manure coming and it will make you some very fine soil down the road in a couple years plus adding the organic matter which ALL soil needs a LOT of to make for good root development! thanks; sonny

[dirtyred]

bigbill- one local ag store here has a reputation of mixin old seed with new seed one thing i have put in my garden is mushroom compost it will grow taters and green beans for sure Was there a tree in the one area that didnt germinate? down here if lighting strikes a tree it wont grow good saw that in a corn patch where i know the tree was struck by lighting never did grow corn worth a toot. Has anything been burnt on the spot also? just my one cents worth.