Growing Ornamental Corn.
A beautiful fall decoration, ornamental corn is very popular at farm markets. Growing your own is just like cultivating sweet corn. (There are those who use it as a flour corn, but we have not tried it.)
Heirloom Indian Ornamental corn seeds require fertile ground and should be planted in blocks rather than long rows for pollination. Full sun and warm weather are a must. In cooler climates, using old milk jugs helps hasten the harvest, but starting corn inside is not recommended. Plant corn seeds 1″ to 2″ deep, 4″ to 6″ in 2 1/2′ to 3′ wide rows, two weeks after the last spring frost. (Corn seed planted too early may rot.) Water well after planting and keep moist during germination. When plants are 3″ to 4″ tall, thin to 8″ to 12″ apart. Corn is designed to grow fast, so periodic fertilizing is recommended. Take care not to damage the roots while weeding. In dry conditions, keep the shallow roots well watered.
Indian corn is ready to harvest when the husk and the ears are no longer green and fully mature. Leave the husks on for one week, then remove to finish drying.
Good companion crops are peas, pole beans, cucumbers, pumpkin, squash, melons and marigolds. A bad companion crop is tomatoes.
Growing Ornamental Corn.
A beautiful fall decoration, ornamental corn is very popular at farm markets. Growing your own is just like cultivating sweet corn. (There are those who use it as a flour corn, but we have not tried it.)
Heirloom Indian Ornamental corn seeds require fertile ground and should be planted in blocks rather than long rows for pollination. Full sun and warm weather are a must. In cooler climates, using old milk jugs helps hasten the harvest, but starting corn inside is not recommended. Plant corn seeds 1″ to 2″ deep, 4″ to 6″ in 2 1/2′ to 3′ wide rows, two weeks after the last spring frost. (Corn seed planted too early may rot.) Water well after planting and keep moist during germination. When plants are 3″ to 4″ tall, thin to 8″ to 12″ apart. Corn is designed to grow fast, so periodic fertilizing is recommended. Take care not to damage the roots while weeding. In dry conditions, keep the shallow roots well watered.
Indian corn is ready to harvest when the husk and the ears are no longer green and fully mature. Leave the husks on for one week, then remove to finish drying.
Good companion crops are peas, pole beans, cucumbers, pumpkin, squash, melons and marigolds. A bad companion crop is tomatoes.