Sweetcorn trials
This set of slides shows how I prepared my 6 x 'No Dig' trial beds.
Because there is very little topsoil, I decided to use a technique based on a permaculture method of layering materials like a lasagna;
First I cleared the area, then I added cardboard, straw, seaweed, spent coffee grounds.
The top layer was some sandy soil which I imported with 5% shop bought organic compost.
All beds were made with equal amounts of materials.
Then planted out with sweetcorn seedlings pre-grown in modules.
Variables measured in Trial
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Yield, measured by weight and number of ears.
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Plant height,
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Brix,(nutrient content)
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Soil biology.
The plants were slow to start, and I believe this was due to the weather. June was very cold with ambient temperatures between 46-60 F (8-15c), There were also some very strong winds making conditions even colder. However throughout the growing cycle there was always a difference between control and treatment as can be seen in the graph with treatment always a little taller.
Weight of all cobs
Treatment produced more cobs and were heavier as compared to control
The average number of cobs were higher
from the Treatment plots as compared
to the Control plots.
The nutrient content (sugars) brix reading, showed no significant difference between the Treatment plots and Control plots.
Overall there was an increase in biology in the treatment plots as compared to control plots. In both graphs, Fungi & Bacteria
on the can be seen a difference.
Conclusions
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For this 3-months trial project of converting dirt into soil and growing a crop using only soil biology through liquid amendments.
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The overall data shows that the biology did make a difference in crop yield, plant height and nutrient content.
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The average height and growth stage of the crop in the treatment plots were slightly taller /quicker than the control plots making the treatment plot an average of 8.75% taller.
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The overall yield of the crop was greater in the treatment plots as compared to control plots.
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A greater number of ears of sweetcorn were harvested at 21% more cobs. On average they weighed 34% heavier.
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Soil biology, however, was up and down for the treatment plots and can be said to be normal in the first growing season, as biology can be slow to take hold, but you could see activity at the crucial times. The last soil biology assessment revealed that biology was starting to stick around.
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This was a very successful trial.
If you would like to read the full report please click on the PDF file
Following the Sweetcorn trials which were harvested beginning of September 2024.
The 6 trial beds were over wintered with a catch crop of Garlic and a cover crop of Wild Strawberry.
This photo was taken on April 26th. It's been a very dry Spring this year 2025 and as a result the garlic is now showing signs of rust.
I've only waterted once about 10th May.
Total yield Garlic in Treatement beds 11,039 Kg
Total yield Garlic in Control Beds 8,175Kg
This was a great result and showed that although it was a very dry season, the garlic did slightly better in the treatment beds as compared to the control beds.
After the garlic was harvested, sweetcorn were planted, but as the the season continued very dry, they didn't do well. What I realised too late was that the organic matter was all used up and the soil was very dry.
However the wild strawberries were very happy and so I cut and dropped 4 times throughout Summers, to create a mulch layer on top.
The treatment beds received extract in the Spring whilst it was raining and also in the Autumn.
Now I have done something a little different. I strimmed all of the strawbery plants in each of the beds. Planted all with garlic. I then applied 20 litres of Biological complete compost on C1, T1, C2, and T2. then I have mulched all 6 beds with a thick layer of grass and leaves mulched up by the lawnmower.
All treatment beds received an extract during heavy rainfall to help the process of breaking down the organic matter.
