Sweetcorn

[pepper1000]

Is it too early to start sweetcorn off in a greenhouse. Last year i think i sowed mine quite late.

[Greenleaves]

I dont sow mine till mid May

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Mid April for me! In toilet rolls!

Forever the "Cheapskate"

[greenishfing]

Mid April for me, ready (hopefully) to go outdoors at the beginning of June.

[Kristen]

Is it too early to start sweetcorn off in a greenhouse. Last year i think i sowed mine quite late.

If you are going to plant it outside, rather than in the greenhouse, then it can't go out until after last frost and they usually grow quite quickly - I would say 4 weeks minimum from sowing to planting out - so perhaps aim to sow 4 weeks before you plan to plant it out?

[Bohobumble]

I don't have enough toilet roll tubes yet, told the OH today we need to use the bathroom more!

I have some leftover Swift F1 that said March on the pack so I have shoved them into a propagator in my greenhouse.

The other varieties say April on the pack, but I wouldn't be direct sowing as I'm not sure my clay would be warm enough to germinate and the mice would get them.

[TheChemist]

I don't have enough toilet roll tubes yet, told the OH today we need to use the bathroom more!

I have some leftover Swift F1 that said March on the pack so I have shoved them into a propagator in my greenhouse.

The other varieties say April on the pack, but I wouldn't be direct sowing as I'm not sure my clay would be warm enough to germinate and the mice would get them.

My OH is thoroughly confused at the turnaround; usually I berate him for his liberal wiping, now he is actively encouraged.

My first 20 seedlings are already 5cm high and I've planting another lot

I think I've jumped the gun a bit with everything this year...

[marchogaeth]

I have some leftover Swift F1 that said March on the pack so I have shoved them into a propagator in my greenhouse.

The other varieties say April on the pack, .....

Remember you can't mix types because if they cross pollinate the corn tastes horrible. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ide_77999.html

[marchogaeth]

I don't have enough toilet roll tubes yet, told the OH today we need to use the bathroom more!

My OH is thoroughly confused at the turnaround; usually I berate him for his liberal wiping, now he is actively encouraged.

Rather than create more pollution by over using toilet rolls to get the middles, why don't you recycle paper and make cups? Then you can just save the rolls up over this coming year and have lots for next.

How to Fold a Cup from a Sheet of Paper (with Easy Pictures)

Crammed into trays or old mushroom boxes (I melt holes in the bottom for drainage) these are ideal for germinating plants that don't like their roots disturbing. Many of my peas begin life in a cup made from a single layer folded. For sweetcorn (or runner beans, although they don't mind the transplanting) I use a double layer made from A3 or a newspaper. Someone will always have paper you can use. (I have been known to wait by the paper bank in the car park at work when I've been desperate because we've had molly lambs! Honestly, it makes people's day to think they've made some nutter happy!)

[Bohobumble]

Remember you can't mix types because if they cross pollinate the corn tastes horrible. http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ide_77999.html

It's a long story that's already been discussed on a similar thread. Don't worry, I'm keeping pollination separate one way or another.

[Kristen]

Rather than create more pollution by over using toilet rolls to get the middles,

Toilet paper bio-degradable, rather than polluting surely? ... or so I thought ?

[Bohobumble]

Rather than create more pollution by over using toilet rolls to get the middles, why don't you recycle paper and make cups?

I'm afraid that was my sense of humour; we are not really over-using at each wipe.

I am repurposing newspaper, it is already very precious (after I remove the recipes I want and keep) the paper is to be used as a mulch. None to spare for making pots, I tried that one, it's far too time consuming for me.

[Alison]

Toilet paper bio-degradable, rather than polluting surely? ... or so I thought ?

Presume they were talking about the creation. If you're using more toilet roll than usual then more needs to be created and however biodegradable the product is, it's creation and transport (let alone packaging) still creates a fair bit of pollution.

[marchogaeth]

I am repurposing paper, it is already very precious (after I remove the recipes I want and keep) the paper is to be used as a mulch. None to spare for making cups, I tried that one, it's far too time consuming for me.

As I said, people will always give you paper. As to time consumption, once you get the technique, you can make them really quickly, a few while you are waiting for a kettle to boil a few while you watch TV etc you soon build up a store.

Presume they were talking about the creation. If you're using more toilet roll than usual then more needs to be created and however biodegradable the product is, it's creation and transport (let alone packaging) still creates a fair bit of pollution.

Yes, exactly.

I don't want to divert the thread, Bo has already said it was a bit tongue in cheek and I just wanted to point out alternatives as I know how slow toilet roll build up seems to be when you really want to use them.

Just because something is biodegradable doesn't mean it's not a problem and getting rid of sewage is all sorts of costly. Also, think about the chemicals used to create the soft, white/coloured paper we mostly use. Plastic bags are "biodegradable" but the tiny bits they bio degrade to are ruining marine life food chains where they are mistaken for plankton and eaten and they are not bio-digestible.

I know no one said they were flushing more but it costs energy to collect clean and pump water to your house, in Britain most people still use water that is drinkably clean to flush their toilets. Most people still flush after every visit.

[TheChemist]

Presume they were talking about the creation. If you're using more toilet roll than usual then more needs to be created and however biodegradable the product is, it's creation and transport (let alone packaging) still creates a fair bit of pollution.

I believe we were both joking about the toilet roll usage. Don't panic people! Toilet roll usage has not increased (I'm far too tight)! I do however get excited when it's near the end.

We've made newspaper pots too. I hardly use any paper, and don't buy newspapers, but luckily we get rubbish free ones through the door and I rescue copies of The Metro from the train at the end of the day. I think I may have too many seedlings...

Anyway, good luck with your corn growing OP!