Our heirloom corn seed, Golden Bantam, is a sweet, mid-season variety capable of producing an abundance of delicious summer corn.
Our featured corn variety: Golden Bantam 8 Row – Sweet Seed
Planting Corn Spacing and Other Tips
It’s not hard to grow corn as long as you understand some basics. Corn is fairly finicky about soil quality as well as soil and air temperature. It won’t germinate if the soil is too cold. And, if the soil is excessively wet, the roots won’t develop properly. In addition, it doesn’t transplant easily, so it’s best to plant it outdoors in spring—but not until after the threat of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up and sufficiently. And, because it’s a slow grower, it will take awhile to mature. The good news is that our Bantam corn variety can be planted earlier than most which allows you to sow successive crops to ensure a plentiful harvest.
Corn is wind-pollinated, so it’s important to plant it in multiples, in short rows or blocks. Having the plants in close proximity allows the pollen shed by the tassels that grow from the top of each plant to make its way to the silk strands that emerge from the young ears. But, it’s also particularly important not to space your corn plants too close together, forcing them to compete for nutrients, water and light.
And one last point: take care not to plant your corn close to other varieties growing nearby (say, in your neighbor’s yard), or they may cross-pollinate, resulting in a less-than-satisfactory-hybrid. There should be a separation of at least 250′ between cornfields of different varieties.
Unlike most other vegetables, corn does not bear fruit over a long period time; rather it produces only one or maybe two ears per stalk. For this reason, we recommend multiple, successive plantings.
Interesting Facts About Corn Plants
Corn Gardening Tips
Moderate.
Full sun.
Corn are heavy drinkers and feeders. Regular watering is key, particularly as the temperatures rise and the corn plants grow.
Well-drained 6.0-6.8 pH soil enriched with compost. The soil temperature must be at least 60°F; warmer temperatures will result in faster germination..
Temperatures must be above 50°F.
Sow corn seeds outdoors at least two weeks after the last spring frost.
Sow seeds 1-1/2 inches deep. Space according to seed packet instructions.
7-10 days.
Seeding to maturity generally takes at least 78 days.
Add nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer at planting time and regularly thereafter.
Add mulch as the seedlings develop to retain moisture and warmth and discourage weeds.
Unfortunately, corn is susceptible to a few pests and diseases, particularly if growing conditions are not ideal. Birds, raccoons, and earworms are the biggest threat to healthy crops; solutions for thwarting these pests can be readily found online.
Plant along with squash and beans. Together they are a trio of crops known as the Three Sisters—an old planting technique utilized by Native Americans to yield a subsistence crop. Other good companion plants include cucumbers, lettuce, melons, peas, potatoes, and sunflowers. Do NOT plant them with tomatoes.
Yes? If you have a large enough container (at least 5 gallons) and enough space to accommodate at least four corn plants.
Harvesting Corn
Your corn is ready for harvest about 17-20 days after the silks appear. To harvest an ear of corn from the stalk, take ahold of it and bend it down toward the ground in a quick twisting motion. The goal is to snap off the ear shank without damaging the rest of the plant. Refrigerate the corn immediately and eat it as soon as possible, for the most delicious results.
Growing Corn—Highlights
- Among the happiest symbols of summer, who doesn’t love sweet, crunchy homegrown corn?
- Our heirloom Golden Bantam corn is one of the most popular varieties of sweet, yellow corn.
- Seeds yield 5-foot-tall corn stalks with 6-inch ears of corn.
- This open-pollinated, mid-season variety is at its delicious best immediately after harvest.
- Direct sow corn seeds outdoors after the threat of frost has passed is best.
- Shallow-rooted corn should be planted in a sunny spot, sheltered from the wind.
- Relatively low in calories and high in fiber, corn also has a surprising amount of protein.
Our Corn Varieties
Ingredients
- 9 cups peeled and chopped tomatoes (peel first, see below)
- 2 1/2 cups chopped green bell peppers
- 2 1/2 cups chopped white onion
- 4 medium jalapeños, chopped (substitute 2 of the jalapeños for 2 cayenne peppers for extra hot salsa)
- 8 large cloves garlic, chopped
- 6 teaspoons canning salt
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste
Instructions
- Remove tomato skins. Make an “X” in the bottom of the tomatoes, then place in boiling water for 60 seconds. Then, remove the tomatoes from the water and place directly into an ice bath. The skins should slip right off.
- Make the salsa. Place all of the ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until thickened and cooked.
- Prepare cans to be sealed. Transfer the cooked salsa into clean, sterile jars leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Use a funnel for this. Wipe rims of jars and, then place lids on top.
- Process with a water bath. Bring a large saucepan filled with water to a boil. Your saucepan needs to be tall enough to have the water cover the jars by 2 inches.