Country Gentleman Corn (Zea Mays)
1
Purchased (Seed Savers Exchange)
Life Cycle
Annual
Category
Pack Date
Vegetable (Corn)
2021
Requirements
Sow seeds outdoors 1" deep after danger of frost has passed. For good pollination and full ears, plant in blocks of 3-6 rows instead of one long row. Thin seedlings to 8" apart. Corn is a heavy feeder and does best in well-drained, fertile soil and plenty of water.
Space 4" apart, thin to 8". 4-21 days to germination. Rows 36-48" apart. Full sun.
Seed Saving
Leave your seed corn in place when you harvest your eating corn. Seed corn needs at least one to two more months in the field before it is harvested. Watch for the seed corn's ear husks to begin to dry and turn brown. Harvest the ears on the next dry day and before the first frost. Pull back the husks of each ear to expose the kernels. Use the husks to braid three or four ears together in a bunch. Repeat the procedure until all the seed corn is bunched. Hang the bunches in a room where the air is dry and warm but not too hot. Air-drying the corn kernels helps to prevent mold. Shell the kernels from the dry ears. Use one hand to hold an ear over a large bowl and twist off the kernels with your other hand. Store the container in a dry, cool area until planting time, after the ground warms.
Additional Info
A home-garden variety grown for fresh eating or canning, this standard, late-season white corn has narrow 'shoe-peg' (non-rowed) kernels. Tapered 7-8" ears grow on 7-8' stalks that often produce two eats. This historic variety was introduced in 1890.