Open-pollinated means the seeds (kernels) from these corn plants can be planted again to grow the same kind of corn plant. Great for gardeners who save their seeds.
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Starting
Corn likes warm soil, so wait until late spring/early summer when your soil has warmed to at least 18°C (65°F). Otherwise, the seeds may rot in the ground before sprouting. Directly sow outdoors or start indoors. Choose a sunny location and sow seeds 2-5cm (1-2″) deep and 7.5cm (3″) apart, in rows 60-90cm (24-36″) apart. Germination in 7-10 days. Corn can be tricky to grow, so if you don’t see seedlings within 12 days, re-plant. Corn is wind pollinated, so plant in a block or a grid, not single rows.
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Growing
Thin the seedlings to 20-25cm (8-10″) apart. Corn is a heavy feeder, and benefits from being fertilized. Water generously. Plants grow 1.5-2m (5') tall with 12-18cm (5-7") cobs.
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Harvesting
Corn is ripe when the juice from the kernels is milky white, the silk on the ears has turned dark brown, and the ears are firm. It’s not ready when the juice of the kernel is still watery and is overripe when the kernels get tough. Cook as soon as possible; corn loses its sweetness rapidly. If storage is necessary, keep corn in the husk and place in the refrigerator. Corn stored for more than 2 days loses its sweetness.
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Seed Saving
Leave some ears to fully mature on the plant. Pick when the entire husk is brown. Open the husks slightly but don’t remove them, then hang them in bunches in a dry place for a few/several more weeks until the seeds are completely dry and easy to remove.
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Companion Planting
Plant with: lettuce, beans, parsley, radish, squash Don’t plant with: tomatoes, eggplant, brassicas (cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower)
