when to harvest corn

How do you know when your corn is ready to harvest? Do you just pick one and taste it? Ours are juicy but not real sweet yet. Any suggestions on worms on your corn too? Sorry to post so many times but I was worried about putting too many questions on one post. I hope I did this alright.

The silk in the corn will start turning brown. Peel back and the husks and start checking it. As for worms, I've never had any luck keeping them off, but they usually don't get to too much of the corn, so I just pluck them out.

Um, can you explain "checking it"? What exactly does that mean? What am I checking for? The worms do not bother me too much either. I just take them off.

To check it I always just peel back a little of the husks and sort of push into one of the kernels with my fingernail to see if it's tender and juicy. Not sure how others do it, but this is how my Dad always did and it's worked for me.

That is the way hubby does it to. If it squirts at you that is even better. As for the worms you have to poision it and we use 7 dust but are going to try DE this year.

Actually, the worms usually don't get much of the corn itself, so I don't bother with them, but I guess if you wanted to use something like DE it would work.

Thanks for the information. We have quite a few with brown tassels so we will probably be harvesting today. Any suggestions on freezing? Do you have to blanch?

Yes, you need to blanch.

http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/harvesttohealth/corn.htm

My mother in law puts in garbage sacks still in the husks and freezes it. I have one outy n my freezer that way. They turn out good that way too. I always blanch mine. It is okra that you do not have to do anything to. Just dust off the dirt and freeze. (make sure no water touches it) and sen you are ready for it pull it out wash it and prepare it the way you want.

Is it recommended to blanch vegetables before freezing?
Yes. Blanching slows or stops the action of enzymes which cause loss of flavor, color and texture. Blanching cleanses the surface of dirt and organisms, brightens the color and helps retard loss of vitamins. Blanching also wilts or softens vegetables and makes them easier to pack.

http://www.uga.edu/nchfp/questions/FAQ_freezing.html#27

Thanks! We did not get to harvest yesterday but have it on my list for today. I think we will just blanch them outside in our boiling pot. We could do a huge batch at one time. Thanks again.