I've never done it before so...what do i do in the ways of fertilizing, worm protection, ect?

Great question! And while we're at it, I'm interested in knowing what happened to my corn last year and what I can do about it this year. Last year it did great, flowered, produced ears that got medium-sized--but inside the husks was no corn, nothing. I didn't stress about it--no major loss, still got beans and squash off the same soil, and I had gotten a late start anyway... but if there's an easy way to address it for this year, I'd love to hear it.

Fertilize using compost, just the same as you do with everything else. Need something faster? Compost tea.
I don't know how organic the use of mineral oil dabbed on the base of the silks is, but it is pretty good at keeping the worms out.

heather - it sounds like they did not get pollinated. Corn kernels are seeds. If they don't get pollinated, no seed is made.

Corn is a heavy feeder. It grows fast. It also uses a lot of water. In my corn plots I compost heavy. In a pinch, I have thrown down horse manure between the rows on top of a heavy layer of straw mulch. There are some here that will pontificate about the pathogens of fresh manure, but it works, don't use too much. Don't stick your fingers in your mouth while your doing it either. Normally, I will use a heavy dose of compost tea and drench the soil.

How do I make compost tea? ?:|

The basics are compost in a bucket with water and "other" ingredients to increase the number of good microorganisms and continuous aeration for several days. Do a google search for "compost tea" or "aerated compost tea" for specifics.

Did you grow your corn in blocks or sparse rows? Corn in wind pollinated and needs to be grouped in blocks.

I've been using mineral for years to prevent worms with great success. Beats that other stuff? Can't even think of the name.

For fertilizer I've used compost incorporated before planting and last year supplemented with regular feedings of fish emulsion. This year I'm going to experiment with a local product - Kricket Krap. This will be my first year using compost tea. Thinking about several soil samples throughout the seasons to teast for nitrogen depending on how expensive the test is.

Dirt

We've grown market garden corn for years using nothing but rich soil. We pick when the silks are brown, and occasionally get an earworm, which our customers don't mind because the corn is so good. Silver Queen. :^O

Since corn is such a heavy (nitrogen) feeder, I use watered down urine on mine. 45-0-0, sterile, and totally free! Just pee in a bucket, mix it as 1 part urine to 10 parts water, and you will have some happy corn. It is also great for cucurbits and other heavy feeders. To the corn I also add compost or composted manure, and kelp meal. We had a bumper crop of popcorn last year and have been eating off it all winter.

Silver Queen You mean there's another kind?

That's like tea - sweet and ice or okra - Clemson Spineless!

Dirt

I fertilize with a layer of sheep manure early in the season, then twice more using Sea Rich foliar spray, and Liquid Kelp spray---both from Gardens Alive.
For the worms I've had great success using Bullseye from Gardens Alive, but this year I'm trying their new Green Step spray. I grow a lot of corn, so using mineral oil is just way too time consuming.

Silver Queen You mean there's another kind?

Yes there is another kind.
IT'S CALLED YELLOW CORN!!!!
CORN IS SUPPOSED TO BE YELLOW, GOSH DARN IT!!!!!!

Now don't make me explain this again.

mines almost yellow..its bicolor :^O although I thought about growing red corn.

Close your eyes! B-) I bet you drink hot tea!

Dirt

whats wrong with hot tea? ?:|