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Corn(Zea mays)
One of the world's most important crops, corn was domesticated from the wild teosinte plant starting about 10,000 years ago, likely in Mexico. It quickly spread through trade around Central America, and by 1,000 AD corn was grown from Canada to Argentina. Today corn is the world's number one crop by weight, although most of that is used for animal feed or for processing into corn syrup and junk food, rather than for eating as a whole grain. About 85% of corn grown in North America is genetically modified, and open-pollinated corn like these are increasingly hard to find.
Corn is a heat loving plant that should be planted after the risk of frost and when the soil is warm. It's a heavy nitrogen feeder, so give it good soil and lots of compost, rotating with nitrogen fixing legumes would also be a good idea. Plant is blocks (rather than rows) to ensure good pollination, if the ears are only partially filled with kernels uneven pollination might have been the culprit. Pick sweet corn when the kernels burst with juice when pierced with a thumbnail. For grain corn or for saving seeds let the ears dry on the plant and pick them when the husks turn brown, or else before rain makes them get wet and moldy. They'll probably need further drying inside, I tie them in bunches and hang them from their husks in the barn. Corn cross-pollinates very easily and needs up to 2 kilometres for complete purity, although less than that will likely do fine especially if there are barriers like trees in the way.
Packets are $3 each
True Platinum White Sweet Corn - Big plump ears of sweet, ivory coloured kernels. Ears grow up to 8 inches long on 6 to 8 foot tall, purple tinged plants. Very productive, an all around great sweet corn. Developed by Alan Kapuler as an open-pollinated version of the hybrid Platinum Lady. Mid-season 100 seeds (20 grams)
(New) Oaxacan Green Dent Corn - An awesome dent corn with mezmerizing emerald-green kernels. It’s great for grinding into corn meal and flour... home grown green tortillas are pretty hard to beat! The stalks can grow up to 8 feet or more with two big green cobs per plant. Makes a decent sweet corn too if eaten fresh at the milk stage. 150 seeds (30 grams)
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