Knee High By The 4th of July

As a kid growing-up I was taught by my mom that corn had to be “knee-high by the Fourth of July” to be considered on-schedule.  Nowadays, modern agriculture has higher standards and results.  Three generations ago knee-high corn today may have indicated sufficient progress.  Modern plant genetics and improvements in plant health suggest that the old knee high measure could be a sign of trouble.  In Iowa, Nebraska and Oklahoma 8 feet by today is the norm.  As a consequence corn should be “as high as an elephant’s eye” by the Fourth of July.  

Here is my vast sweet corn patch.   

And It would appear I am right on schedule. 

Terrific progress considering the cold, wet start to the planting season.