Time to start off sweetcorn

Sow early, mid and late corn varieties now, and you’ll be devouring sweet, crunchy cobs from August to October. Here’s how to do it:

1 Sweetcorn plants develop an extensive root system and resent root congestion. So provided you’ve got room in your propagator, bide yourself a little time by using larger, 3½in (9cm)-diameter pots. Fill these with good-quality multi-purpose compost and water well.

2 Sow one seed per pot, 1½in (4cm) deep (sow at least 20 plants). Water in lightly and place in a heated propagator set at 18-20˚C (65-68˚F). Depending on the variety you’ve sown, seedlings should appear in five-ten days. Don’t overwater at this stage – keep the compost just moist.

3 Once germinated, remove from the propagator and grow seedlings on at 15-18˚C

(59-65˚F). They should be ready for planting out in mid-late May. Choose a warm, sunny spot and plant in blocks rather than rows to ensure good pollination and well-filled cobs.