Thomas Ravelo is shown in his corn patch in Lehigh. For more information on the Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange, email ilovelehighacres@gmail.com or call 239.206.3373. Photo by Lillian Nieves

Did you know that the scientific name of corn (also known as maize) is Zea mays?

What comes to a gardener’s mind when you envision those golden, sweet kernels besides “it is impossible to grow corn in Lehigh Acres”?

Growing corn hasn’t been a productive task for most gardeners in Lehigh Acres. According to an online resource, A Brief History of Florida by Florida Division of Historical Resources, Indians of the Timucua, Apalachee, Ais, Tekesta and Calusa in North Florida successfully planted corn, beans, and squash. So what about Southwest Florida?

Avid Lehigh gardener Cheryll Jemmott says she can grow just about anything in Lehigh Acres. However, even she has encountered challenges growing corn. Jemmott says that her cobs develop to about three inches long and just stop growing.

At the first Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange Meeting at the East County Regional Library, Jemmott articulated her need to learn how to successfully grow corn in our sandy soil.

Tomas Ravelo has discovered a trick to grow corn in Lehigh Acres.

Ravelo brought corn seeds from his native city, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, and planted them in a 1/8- acre area on his property. Ravelo is very meticulous about his garden and gets very upset when he spies a sprouting weed or two.

While being interviewed, he grumbled unmentionables as he pulled out the weeds that disturbed his immaculate landscape.

Ravelo, his wife Elizabeth, and a neighbor care for his garden which consists of cachucha peppers (Capsicum Chinese), sweet potatoes, and of course corn. Their garden earned Edible Garden of the Month for September because of their success with corn.

The Ravelos have been gardening all of their lives and moved to Lehigh Acres seven years ago. Their first attempt of growing corn failed. They then followed the advice of a neighbor and used OrganicLee Compost which can be bought at the Lee County Waste To Energy Complex at 10500 Buckingham Road in East Fort Myers.

Ravelo said he had spent so much money in the past buying store-bought top soil and compost that never yielded a crop. Now Mr. Ravelo swears by “black organic compost,” as he calls it “OrganicLee Compost.” When the Ravelos are not gardening, they are busy managing Bahia Honda Tires at 140 Gunnery Road, in Lehigh Acres. To view their amazing maize, take Harrison Drive to 300 Carolina Way in Lehigh Acres.

Have a gardening question? Ask the expert.

The upcoming meeting of the Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange will focus on “Fall planting.” Guest speaker will be Roy Beckford from the University of Florida Extension Service. Beckford is the agriculture agent for Lee County. This free meeting will be held at the East County Regional Library (off Gunnery Road) on Wednesday, September 21. Mingle and chat with other gardeners from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The meeting starts promptly at 5:30 p.m.

There is no fee; however, we do ask that you bring something to share at the meeting.

Gardeners are encouraged to bring in excess seeds, cuttings, gardening magazines headed for the recycle bin, tools collecting dust in the garage, or anything else that they are willing to unconditionally give to another gardener. If you wish your item to be used at the “Our Daily Bread Garden” or raffled off at the end of the meeting, please let us know when you sign in.

Karen Harty organized the Lehigh Acres Edible Gardening Exchange. Ed.