Corn
Much to my amazement, corn was actually the first thing I planted in
the Hope Seeds production gardens in 2007! The weather was
warm to get soil temp high enough (15 degrees C) in early May, and
seedlings were protected from late frost with a 4" hay mulch.
Corn is a heavy feeder, and loves to get extra nourishment from
compost prior to planting (prep the soil) and at about knee-high growth
stage. Plant seed about 1" deep, 6-8" spacing in rows.
Hilling rows at the 8" growth stage helps control weeds and provides
stalk support.
All of the varieties below are open-pollinated.
ASHWORTH / RAT-SELECTED (Sweet) Certified Organic
 65-75 days.
This must be a good one, as Fred Ashworth named it "rat
selected" because this variety was the one most visited by rats in the
storage bins! Nice and early 6" cobs, yellow kernels and
old-fashioned corn taste. Best flavour and sweetness when
harvested in the milk stage (pierce the kernels with a fingernail, and
when the juice looks like milk - get the pot on the stove!).
Product code: 1301-CO
Price: A=$3.00 (30g) |
GOLDEN BANTAM (Sweet)
 85 days.
Heritage variety from 1902, Golden Bantam was the corn that
changed the stereotype that yellow corn was just for the cattle.
Surpassing the old white varieties in sweetness but maintains
that old-fashioned corn flavour. Ears are narrow 7" growing on
stalks 5-6' high. Ripens a little later than Ashworth, so plant
at the same time and get an extended harvest.
Product code: 1304
Price: A=$3.00 (30g) B=$5.50 (1/4 lb) C=$12.00 (1 lb) |
PAINTED MOUNTAIN (Milling/flour/ornamental) Certified Organic
 90 days dry.
It took breeder Dave Christensen 36 years to come up with the
hardiest, fastest-maturing grain corn in the world, but by golly, he
did a darn good job! Bred to handle the windy, cold and drought
conditions that this part of the world offers; Painted Mountain grows
where no other corn will. Beautiful 6-7" long thin cobs express a
real rainbow of colours, making Painted Mountain not only an excellent
milling/flour variety for those who make their own corn meal or flour,
but also an excellent decorative variety.
Product code: 1303-CO
Price: A=$3.00 (20g) |
|
