I live in the south and we have fire ants. They can not live in close contact with any other living thing so far as I know. I have not had them eat plants because they are opportunistic and seem to prefer other living things, from small insects ot baby livestock and wild game. Where there are lots of them they kill off the turkey, quail, deer etc and in also baby calves, horses etc., given the opportunity. I have read that if you have lots of fire ants, they will eat all the ticks and chiggers so I guess that would be one beneficial act, at whatever cost. The ants that killed my plants were the little black ants that frequent okra. They occasionally bore a hole in a pod of okra near the base, causing it to become deformed and curl over. However the most damage was when they killed all my dill plants two years in a row, some other plants and a beautiful little miniature rose bush that I had growing in a planter box that I built for my wife. They did not eat the plants, but hollowed out all around the roots making their nests and tunnels to where the plants died from lack of being able to take up moisture or nutrients. It is hard to tell this, especially if there is mulch around the plants, until you see them wilting and investigate. By then the damage is done and it is too late. I would also recommend some ant baits or control on the outter pereimeters of your beds. Other measures like keeping the ground moist and stirred up has a limited and temporary inpact on them. That is my experience and first hand observations. Bill P.

Just wanting to comment on a few posts. I agree that my plants aren't 100%, like I said this is only my second year. However, I don't think its from underwatering. We've had a lot of rain here the past week or two and the days it didn't rain alot, I made sure I watered them deeply if the ground was dry. I think maybe I didn't put enough nitrogen. I read online early on that I should sidedress with a high nitrogen fertilizer once when they are a foot high and right before tasseling which I did but I guess maybe that wasn't enough. The reason I didn't put more was because I read somewhere when I was researching what to fertilize it with before planting that you can burn the plants by putting too much nitrogen on them so I didn't want to over do it. I used bloodmeal and they turned much greener after both applications. So that I know this for next year, how often should I apply the nitrogen??

I can't think of any stress on the plants and the silk is developing fine. The only thing that seems to be wrong with the plants is the tassel. The ears already have plenty of silk coming out, but they aren't getting pollinated. I did have aphids start to show up maybe 3-4 weeks ago and I sprayed with a bug killer as soon as I started to notice them. It seemed to kill the aphids and I haven't seen any signs of them since. I've had aphids show up previous years, but a lot later in development after the ears had already been pollinated. I don't know if this would stress the plant at all or if any thing else would affect it.

Thanks everyone....I'm feeling a lot more hopeful. I swear that new tassle (and the plant) grew 6 inches while I was at work today...and then I got your posts so I think we are all healthy and prepping for sweet corn over here. Karl: great pics...but where did you get that awesome wire trellis near your tomatos? I could use one like that...maybe I can find one like it in Massachusetts. Do you know who makes it? I need some pointers on trellising. I am sort of new at vegetable gardening and if you looked at my 9 ft tall peas hanging all over various strings and string mesh and looking pathetic (but producing) you would blantantly see that I do not know what I am doing when it comes to trellising!!! :) I guess I just started and new topic for a new thread, but would love to know your ideas. thanks Kathy