Sweet corn 

Sow at 18-21C (65-70F) from late March to early May in peat pots or deep pots at a depth of 2.5cm (1in).

In mild areas you can sow seed directly outside from mid- to late May in soil pre-warmed for two weeks with cloches or clear plastic. Sow two seeds 2.5cm (1in) deep 45cm (18in) apart in rows 45cm (18in) apart; remove the weakest seedling. Leave the cloches or plastic over the plants until they've grown and touch the top.

Plant out indoor-raised plants at the end of May or early June depending on the weather.

Stake tall cultivars or if the position is windy.

When roots appear at the base of the stem cover them over with soil.

Water well in dry weather; this is vital when the plants are flowering. Liquid feed when the cobs begin to swell.

Tap the tops of the plants when the male flowers (tassels) open to help pollination; poor pollination will result in poorly filled/irregularly filled cobs.

Supersweet cultivars mustn't be grown with other cultivars or cross-pollination will reduce the sweetness.

Test for ripeness when the tassels have turned chocolate brown; squeeze a grain between thumbnail and fingernail - if a watery liquid squirts out then it is unripe, if it is creamy the cob is ready. Twist the ripe cob from the stem.