How do you know when corn is ready to harvest?

[Christina]

I rarely plant corn because it takes up a lot of space and it seems to go from tiny little unripe kernels to oversized starchy ones that are barely edible overnight. I don't know how to tell if it's ready other than ripping open the husk far enough down to see what the center looks like and if it's too soon then I've probably ruined it. I planted some this year because I like how it looks and I don't want it to get starchy again like last time.

[Berthold]

Nero Wolfe did it by size and consistency to the touch. :)

The people at the farmers' grocery market (if there is one near your place) probably know. The question is, can they teach it?

[nygreenguy]

Coming from Illinois, this is a subject I know well.

First, the end must be blunt, and not sharp. This is because the end kernels are developed.

Crush a kernel. It should be whitish. Not thick and creamy, and not watery.

also, the vaginas...err....silk (they are essentially corn vaginas) should be brown.

[Christina]

Thanks NYGG. The shape of the ends of the ears seems like a good way to tell. All of the times that I've ripped them open too soon they were still pointy. Just out of curiosity, would the ears continue to develop if the husk was ripped open?

[nygreenguy]

Thanks NYGG. The shape of the ends of the ears seems like a good way to tell. All of the times that I've ripped them open too soon they were still pointy. Just out of curiosity, would the ears continue to develop if the husk was ripped open?

yes, but they would also get suncooked. Dont look, just squeeze with the husk on.

[Notta]

I always went by brown silk and checking one of the kernels at the tips. I sometimes found that when the tips were ripe, the rest was over-ripe. You can always cut off the very tip.

[Christina]

I think that's what I was doing too. I'd open them a little to peek, the tips looked underdeveloped so I gave them some more time and then they were starchy. Hopefully I'll do better this time.