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Close-up of a grilled street corn cob generously topped with cojita cheese, mayonnaise, and chili powder

Best way to grow Street Corn (Elote) in 5 Steps

This guide outlines the best way to grow delicious street corn (Elote) in just five simple steps, ensuring a bountiful harvest for your culinary enjoyment.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Gardening Supplies
  • 1 packet Corn seeds
  • 2 bags Compost
  • 1 bag Gardening soil
  • 1 box Fertilizer
Elote Toppings
  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup Cotija cheese
  • 1 tbsp Chili powder
  • 1 unit Lime

Equipment

  • Gardening gloves
  • Trowel
  • Watering can
  • Grill (optional)

Method
 

Planting
  1. Choose a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil.
  2. Plant corn seeds 1 inch deep and 4-6 inches apart in rows, ensuring proper spacing for growth.
Watering and Fertilizing
  1. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, keeping the soil consistently moist.
  2. Fertilize every 3-4 weeks with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
Pest Control
  1. Monitor for pests like corn earworms and aphids, and use organic pest control methods if necessary.
  2. Consider companion planting with marigolds to deter pests naturally.
Harvesting
  1. Harvest when the silk turns brown and the kernels are plump and milky when punctured.
  2. Twist and pull the ears from the stalk, ensuring a clean break.
Preparing Elote
  1. Grill or boil the harvested corn until tender and slightly charred.
  2. Mix mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili powder, and a squeeze of lime juice to create the elote topping.
  3. Spread the topping generously over the cooked corn and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, plant corn in blocks rather than single rows to improve pollination.