Determining the best time to pick corn has always been a bit of a mystery to us.  Squeezing the ears, it is easy to imagine feeling plump kernels through the layers of husk.  Pulling back the husk at the tip is a supposed no-no as it inhibits growth if the ear isn’t ready and invites insect.  Not only is it hard to wait for the most exciting crop of the year, there is such a small window (less than a week) when the corn is ripe before it turns starchy.

The common consensus from our research on the internet seems to be 20 days from the first silks.  Looking back at our photos, the first occurrence of a silk was around July 31st.  That would mean we have another 8 or 9 more days before our first ear.

For now we have given in and have been buying corn from the farm next door.