Vegetable

Description

At harvest time Sweetcorn Early Xtra Sweet is twice as sweet as other varieties. Instead of the sweetness and flavour deteriorating as in other sweet normal varieties, Sweetcorn Early Xtra Sweet has a rich sugary flavour and is easy to grow. To ensure maximum sweetness do not grow near ordinary varieties.

Sowing Instructions

Sow seeds mid spring. Requires a fertile soil in a sunny position. Germinate at 20-30C (68-86F) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost in 7.5cm (3in) pots. Apply a layer of compost or vermiculite, 1cm (½in) deep. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 6-10 days.

Growing Instructions

Plant out after all risk of frost 45cm (18in) apart in blocks to aid pollination.

Aftercare

Once the cobs start to form. water regularly. Cobs are ripe when the liquid of the grains is thin and creamy.

Nutritional Information

A typical sweetcorn cob contains less than 100 calories. Cobs are gluten-free and are a good source of fibre and Vitamin B.

Kitchen Notes

The traditional corn on the cobs are still a favourite, delicious when served with melted butter and a sprinkling of chopped herbs.