*Ark of Taste Heirloom* One of the most beautiful and best northern adapted dry corns we have grown (and listen Frenchy, we pronounce it “Callous” in these parts!). A classic 8-row northern flint originating with the Abenaki tribes of northern New England and Quebec, the variety consists of 8-10” single color ears in a color mix of mostly yellow/gold & red, with some less common orange. Passed on to farmers Roy and Ruth Fair of Callais, VT who put their own stamp of genetic selection on the corn, it eventually found its way to seedsman Tom Stearns who brought it to the commercial marketplace. Our stock originally came from Anthony and Carol Boutard, of Ayers Creek Farm in Gaston, OR, who had been stewarding it as an important market crop for their farm for over a decade, selecting for long slender ears, regular 8-row kernel organization, and a higher portion of the recessive red ears, as they show superior cool soil emergence and earlier ripening. Roy’s makes a flavorful cornmeal, and is great for hominy, or a toothsome posole. Historically famous, this variety, or a very closely related one, was the one corn that survived the 1816 “Year Without a Summer” in northern Vermont, a year that brought a foot of snow on June 7th and killing frosts every month of the year. So quit complaining about the weather eh? 90 days. WG
Packet: 1oz (~100 seeds)
Product Code:COR-RC-pkt
Availability:In stock
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Seeds can be sown late spring (May) and into early Summer. Direct seeding recommended.
Note: Corn prefers warmer ambient and soil temperatures (60F+), well-drained, light and loamy soils with a neutral to slightly acidic (6-6.8) pH, and ample water. Seeds may be sown every 3 weeks through early summer or stagger with different maturing varieties.
PLANTING DEPTH:
1-2" This will depend on soil type and moisture. Drier soils require deeper sowing.
SPACING:
2-3 seeds per linear foot, thinning to 8-12" between plants in rows 2-3' apart. Smaller blocks of 4 rows versus one long row will ensure good pollination.
EMERGENCE:
5-14 days @ soil temp 60-65F
LIGHT:
Full sun is best!
FERTILITY:
Corn is a heavy feeder, especially of Nitrogen, and is thirsty, needing ample water, especially from tassel to harvest.
An addition of compost/high Nitrogen fertilizer is beneficial mid-season/knee-high.
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Remember that corn prefers warm temperatures, lots of water, fertility, and space. Keep em weeded, and remember that they have shallow roots!
To prevent seed rot, sow seeds at soil temperatures 60F+ and do not overwater. Dry corn and Popcorn seeds can germinate at slightly lower soil temperatures.
To avoid cross-pollination of Sweet and Supersweet varieties, you may stagger plantings, isolate by 25+', or choose varieties with different maturation dates.
Harvest Sweet corn when silk is brown/dry, and kernels are milky. Waiting too long will cause excess starchiness. Eat Sweet corn fresh!
Harvest Popcorn and Dry/Flour corn when the seed color is fully saturated and the seeds are hard and glossy. Then, cure in a well-ventilated, covered space.
Popcorn will only pop when a low enough moisture content (13-14.5%) is achieved.
