(Le Mars) — Nearly everyone looks forward to the smell and taste of the first ears of locally-grown fresh sweet corn, and according to Lynn Buss, people won’t need to wait much longer. Buss is known for the past 30 plus years of his local roadside stands selling his sweetcorn to the public. He says the first ears of the season will probably be ready on Friday. Buss says due to the dry conditions, he was initially concerned whether or not he
would have a crop to sell this year, but recent rains of the past couple of weeks have turned around the condition of his sweet corn crop.
Buss says the most recent rains have been truly a blessing.
The sweet corn farmer says he usually plants around 20 acres of sweet corn, and he plants his sweet corn at different times to spread out the season from mid-July to Labor Day.
Buss tells of the condition of the early matured sweet corn that will be ready for harvest this weekend.
Buss markets his sweet corn at Le Mars, Sioux Center, Hawarden, and Akron.
Le Mars customers are accustomed to seeing Buss with his sweet corn located on the parking lot of Bob’s Drive-Inn.
The sweet corn grower says through email messages, phone calls, and personal visits customers are always inquiring as to when the sweet corn is ready for harvest.
Like any other farmer, Buss has many challenges when growing sweet corn. He has to contend with changing weather conditions such as strong winds and hail, predators such as raccoons and deer, and insects and other pests.
However, he says he enjoys producing a crop that many people desire for the summer months. So, how much longer will Buss continue to grow sweet corn to sell for the public?
As mentioned, the first ears of sweet corn will go on sale on Friday and through the weekend.
